Enzo Fernandez Blasts FIFA Over Club World Cup Heat Scare

Enzo Fernandez opened up about how close he came to collapsing during Chelsea’s FIFA Club World Cup semi-final victory over Fluminense, labelling the sweltering 35°C (95°F) conditions “very dangerous” and questioning FIFA’s scheduling.

Enzo Fernandez Condemns Scheduling

The Argentina midfielder explained that the 3 p.m. local kick-off left players exposed to relentless Middle-Eastern sun. “I felt dizzy and my vision blurred; another few minutes without a break and I’d have fainted,” he told reporters. Match officials were forced to halt play twice for emergency cooling breaks, yet Fernandez believes that was not enough. “We prepare for high-intensity football, not for a sauna,” he added, urging governing bodies to prioritise player welfare over broadcast slots.

Chelsea’s Midfield Engine Felt the Heat

Despite the discomfort, Fernandez still produced a combative 90-minute display, completing 91 per cent of his passes and winning six duels as Chelsea booked a place in Sunday’s final. Team-mates later admitted they feared losing their midfield anchor when he bent over clutching his knees midway through the first half.

Warning for the Final

The showpiece against Paris Saint-Germain is also scheduled at 3 p.m. ET, and Chelsea medics are preparing enhanced hydration protocols. Manager Mauricio Pochettino said he will lobby FIFA for later kick-off times if conditions remain oppressive. “No trophy is worth risking a player’s health,” he stressed.

Opinion

FIFA’s global ambitions must not eclipse basic duty of care. Fernandez’s scare should trigger an immediate review of climate-aware scheduling; otherwise football’s biggest matches will continue to flirt with preventable health hazards.