PSG coach Luis Enrique had a strong complaint with FIFA after their third match of the group stage of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.
Following Paris Saint-Germain’s 2-0 victory over the Seattle Sounders—which secured their first-place finish in Group B of the FIFA Club World Cup—head coach Luis Enrique voiced frustration with FIFA and the quality of playing surfaces in the United States.
Speaking at a press conference before it was confirmed that PSG would face Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami in the Round of 16, the Spanish manager criticized the field conditions at Seattle’s Lumen Field. His concerns echoed issues raised during the recent Copa America and highlight potential problems ahead of next year’s FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted in the U.S.
“The ball bounces like a rabbit,” Enrique said. “Today, for example, the field used to be artificial turf, and now it’s natural grass laid over it, which means it has to be watered manually. They watered it during halftime, but it dries out in ten minutes. It’s a big problem for the way we play.”
While emphasizing that he wasn’t making excuses—especially after a win—Enrique was clear in his criticism of FIFA’s handling of venue quality.
“I’m saying this because we won. Otherwise, people might think we’re just complaining. But the truth is, it’s hard to play our game under these conditions. FIFA really needs to take this seriously—not just the stadium fields but also the training pitches,” he added.
The PSG coach ended his complaint with a pointed message: “If we’re calling this the best club tournament in the world, it should have world-class facilities. I mean, I can’t imagine an NBA game played on a court full of holes.”
PSG top Group B
PSG advanced from Group B with 6 points, thanks to a dominant 4-0 win over Atlético de Madrid and their 2-0 win over the Seattle Sounders. Their only loss came against Botafogo (1-0), who also finished with 6 points and advanced on goal differential despite losing their final match to Atlético.
Next Up: Inter Miami
PSG’s Round of 16 opponent will be Inter Miami, led by Argentine legend Lionel Messi. Miami had a chance to finish first in Group A but surrendered a late lead against Palmeiras, settling for a 2-2 draw. That result dropped them to second place and set up a high-profile showdown with the French champions.
The knockout match between PSG and Inter Miami is scheduled for Sunday, June 29 at 12:00 PM ET at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.
From: bolavip.com
