
Club World Cup match halted as fans vacate seats and players told to remain calm
Club World Cup match halted as fans vacate seats and players told to remain calm
The Club World Cup match between Palmeiras and Al Ahly had to be halted on Thursday afternoon as fans were told to find shelter amid severe lightning in the area
Players leave the field after the match was suspended due severe weather warning is given for a storm
(Image: Getty Images )
During the Club World Cup encounter between Palmeiras and Egyptian outfit Al Ahly, play was brought to a standstill due to lightning nearby on Thursday. The match was paused shortly after the 60-minute mark by referee Anthony Taylor, well-known among Premier League spectators, who deemed it necessary to interrupt the game.
Taylor signalled for all players to return to the changing rooms, while supporters were directed into the covered areas of the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, which is set to host the forthcoming World Cup final.
Commentary was switched back to the studio as stadium screens cautioned attendees with a message, which also told the players to walk "calmly" off the pitch.
The announcement read: "Your attention please.
"For your safety, we are going to have everyone leave the Seating Bowl area and take shelter inside the stadium because of severe weather in the area.
"Event Staff are available to guide and assist you.
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"Those on the field, please walk calmly to the nearest tunnel, to the West Hall, or to the service corridor."
At the cessation of play, Brazilian club Palmeiras was leading two-nil, having scored in their second tournament game during Group A competition.
They found the net first at the 49th minute following an own goal by Wessam Abou Ali, with Jose Manuel Lopez increasing their lead soon before the forced break, reports the Express.
The delay ensued shortly after, lasting for 48 minutes with the game resuming at 2.15pm local time in the American north-east.
Palmeiras managed to maintain their lead until the end of the match, temporarily securing the top spot in the group before Porto's face-off with Inter Miami.
Estevao Willian, who celebrated his 18th birthday only in April, was awarded Player of the Match for the second consecutive game, sparking renewed enthusiasm among Chelsea supporters ahead of his anticipated move to Stamford Bridge later this summer.
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Weather disruptions have become an unfortunate yet frequent occurrence at the restructured Club World Cup. On Tuesday night, organisers had to rearrange the schedule due to a thunderstorm, pushing back the kick-off time for the match between Ulsan Hyundai and Mamelodi Sundowns from 6pm local time to 7.05pm.
More severe weather conditions hit on Wednesday, causing the match between RB Salzburg and Pachuca to be halted in the 54th minute.
The game did not resume for over an hour as officials had to wait for the storm to pass.
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