Al Hilal coach Jardim complains Chelsea have been favoured by CWC schedule

February 9 – Al Hilal coach Leonardo Jardim has criticised FIFA for favouring European teams at the Club World Cup, echoing comments from Al Ahly boss Pitso Mosimane earlier in the tournament.

On Wednesday, the Saudi giants take on European champions Chelsea in the second semi-final of the Club World Cup, but the Portuguese manager voiced his dismay arguing that organisers FIFA have favoured Chelsea with the calendar structure of the seven-team competition.

“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,” said Jardim.

“There should be better care with the match schedule to recover so teams from Asia and South America can have the ambition to win this cup.”

He acknowledged that the European club are the favourites, but even in his team’s 6-1 victory against host club Al Jazira 6-1 in the quarterfinals, Jardim saw problems. 

“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,” commented the Portuguese. “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.”

Earlier in the tournament, Al Ahly coach Pitso Mosimane had also criticised organisers for a lack of respect towards African clubs as his team had to play without Egyptian national team players against Monterrey because the fixture clashed with the Africa Cup of Nations final. 

At a news conference, Mosimane said: “How many times do Africans have to prove themselves? What is the standard? Why does Palmeiras start Club World Cup from the semi-finals? We beat them last year, what’s the difference? it is time for the African clubs to be respected.”

The African champions defeated Monterrey but exited the tournament on Tuesday after a 2-0 loss against South Americans Palmeiras, the team they had pipped to third place in last year’s competition. 

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