⚽ FIFA Called Out for Breaking Its Own Rules in Chelsea vs PSG Club World Cup Final!
In what should have been a celebration of global club football, Sunday’s Club World Cup Final between Chelsea and PSG instead turned controversial—not just for on‑pitch drama, but for FIFA seemingly flouting its own Laws of the Game.
🕐 The Half‑Time Scandal
A central criticism emerged from football journalist Martyn Ziegler, who lamented on X (formerly Twitter):
> “What is the point of FIFA saying it upholds the Laws of the Game when it ignores maximum 15‑min half‑time break so Infantino can have this 24‑min show??”
Indeed, FIFA’s Law 7 clearly states: half‑time intervals must not exceed 15 minutes. But instead of a standard break, the final featured a lavish 24‑minute half‑time extravaganza with musical performances and on‑field fireworks—echoing a Super Bowl halftime show more than a FIFA‑sanctioned match. Critics say this unwarranted extension is a flagrant breach of FIFA rules, apparently orchestrated to provide extra airtime for Gianni Infantino’s slate of glitzy productions.
🧥 The Infantino Factor
Critics have tied this apparent rule‑break to FIFA’s president, Gianni Infantino, accusing him of prioritizing pageantry over protocol. There’s even been talk that Infantino’s name appears multiple times on the new trophy, hinting at a deeper agenda of personal branding and spectacle .
Meanwhile, the player union FIFPRO—which wasn’t even invited to a pre‑final player welfare meeting—was scathing, branding Infantino as “the man who thinks he’s god” and condemning FIFA’s “bread and circuses” approach for overshadowing player safety and the integrity of the sport .
📣 Outrage from Fans & Journalists
Fans at MetLife Stadium didn’t hold back—booing heavily during both Donald Trump’s appearance and Infantino’s time on stage . Journalists piled on, demanding to know why the governing body would enact a spectacle that exceeded the limits set out in football’s own Laws.
🎯 What This Means for the Sport
This isn’t just a one‑off extravaganza; it points to something much deeper: Is FIFA bending the rules to serve a branding agenda? If half‑time can be extended for show, where do we draw the line? The backlash has cast a long shadow over the tournament, threatening FIFA’s claims of upholding the Laws of the Game.
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In summary
FIFA—through Infantino—deviated from its own rulebook by allowing a 24‑minute halftime show, defying the 15‑minute cap in Law 7. Critics argue this was a calculated move to amplify spectacle and political messaging, favoring marketing over the integrity of the game. Player unions, journalists, and fans have united in rebuke, calling FIFA to account.
The final should have been remembered for Chelsea’s emphatic 3–0 win—not for FIFA’s theatrics overshadowing the Laws of the Game. Instead, it may become a landmark moment in the ongoing debate about governance and
spectacle in world football.
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