FIFA admit World Cup scandal fears over weather delay threat | Football | Sport
As it was each side’s second group game, the delay proved relatively inconsequential but that may not remain the case should a crucial fixture in the coming days fall victim to torrential rain or lightning strikes. Since the 1982 World Cup – which saw the notorious “disgrace of Dijon” unfold – final group stage matches have been scheduled to kick off simultaneously.
During that tournament, West Germany and Austria were accused of engineering a 1-0 victory for the Germans, ensuring both nations progressed to the knockout rounds. Yet there is no certainty that this arrangement can be maintained over the coming days, with The Times reporting that no specific provision exists to address potentially adverse summer weather conditions.
A clear ruling does exist, however, with Article 12.4 of the official regulations stating: “The last two matches in each group shall have simultaneous kick-off times on the same day, unless stipulated otherwise by Fifa (e.g. in cases of force majeure).”
With no official directive requiring matches to conclude at the same time, FIFA will be left depending entirely on the integrity of whichever two teams are affected by any weather-enforced stoppages. In the sole incident of this nature at the tournament thus far, France were leading Iraq 1-0 when the half-time whistle blew.
England were affected by the unpredictable United States weather even before the tournament commenced, with their final warm-up friendly against New Zealand kicking off one hour behind schedule. While there was no evidence of thunder or lightning, England’s second group fixture against Ghana was contested in wet conditions, with Thomas Tuchel’s side forced to accept a frustrating 0-0 draw.
Croatia’s 1-0 victory over Panama several hours later has resulted in the latter – whom the Three Lions meet this Saturday – being knocked out of the World Cup. Scotland are one of the first teams in action as they face Brazil, while Morocco face already-eliminated Haiti.
