Enzo Maresca was RIGHT to rage at two-hour storm stoppage in Chelsea’s quarter-final – it was a possible glimpse into the World Cup subsequent yr, writes KIERAN GILL

The FIFA officers within the Charlotte press room had been well mannered sufficient, although after almost two hours of us hoping they’d immediately morph into meteorologists, you possibly can inform they had been considerably sick of being badgered for an replace on Chelsea’s suspended Membership World Cup conflict with Benfica.

However then we weren’t the one ones questioning what on earth was occurring. Even Cole Palmer left the Chelsea altering room to ask an official: ‘What is going on on?’ 

Solutions had been scarce because the gamers sat on spinning bikes to remain limber inside whereas the solar was shining exterior.

All we knew was a single lightning strike, even 9.9 miles away from the Financial institution of America Stadium, would reset the 30-minute clock. And it did carry on resetting, a lot to Enzo Maresca’s frustration as this grew to become the sixth fixture right here in the USA to be suspended attributable to climate.

It was a possible glimpse into subsequent summer time’s World Cup. FIFA can’t management the clouds up above, however they will select the place their tournaments are held, and this competitors involving Chelsea and Manchester Metropolis is displaying us to be ready for additional delays this time subsequent yr.

Maresca’s level was legitimate. In spite of everything, these Chelsea supporters in England began watching their staff play on June 28, and it was June 29 by the point it ended. 

This was not soccer and the chaos was a possible glimpse into subsequent summer time’s World Cup

Enzo Maresca rightly instructed the unpredictable local weather within the US shouldn’t be soccer pleasant

There have been 4 hours and 38 minutes between referee Slavko Vincic signalling the beginning and the top. Wimbledon finals have been performed in shorter time frames, even the five-setters.

So, no, this was not soccer, as Chelsea’s supervisor instructed us after this weird match in Charlotte and he was proper to recommend the USA with its unpredictable summer time local weather shouldn’t be too soccer pleasant.