“I find it unfair, a warning to FIFA” – Al Hilal coach sends strong Chelsea warning message to FIFA
Ahead of Club World Cup semi finals against Chelsea, Al Hilal boss Leonardo Jardim has hit out at FIFA for the tournament’s scheduling and believes it favours Chelsea who have to play just twice.
As UEFA Champions League winners, the Blues alongside the champions of South America, enter the competition at the semi-final stage.
Jardim said: “I’d like to give a warning to FIFA and I find it unfair some teams have to play four matches in eight days and other teams have to play two matches with their teams not rested.”
“There should be better care with the match schedule to recover so teams from Asia and South America can have ambition to win this cup.”
“I’m sure that the European teams, in this case Chelsea and previously Liverpool, are always the favourites,” said Jardim.
“No doubt about that but we have additional favouritism when Al Hilal has two days to recover and the 24 players are all the same, but one team comes out fresh.
“Our victory from the previous match mirrors that: Al Jazira had difficulties in the second half.
“If they were rested the match would have been different I think, especially in the second half.”