According to a former Premier League referee, Olivier Giroud’s actions during LAFC’s 2-0 loss to Chelsea in their FIFA Club World Cup opening match could result in a fine for the MLS team. Pedro Neto and Enzo Fernandez’s goals were enough to divide the two teams in front of a mostly empty Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Monday night, proving that Enzo Maresca’s team was no match for the 2022 MLS Cup winners.
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Although Giroud had previously spent two and a half years at Stamford Bridge, where he won the Europa League, FA Cup, and Champions League, the match did provide him with an opportunity to play against his old team. However, one former official claims that the French veteran might have caused trouble for his current employers.
Giroud Delay Should Lead to LAFC Fine According to ex-PL Referee
Keith Hackett slammed the time it took the striker to come on as a substitute
Keith Hackett, a former Premier League referee, told Football Insider that LAFC ought to pay a punishment for the amount of time it took Olivier Giroud to enter the field after being substituted. At halftime, the World Cup winner was supposed to be substituted on, but instead he was left waiting shirtless on the sidelines.
Referee Jesus Valenzuela Saez chose to wait for Giroud to be ready rather than continue the game without the 38-year-old, which caused the restart to be delayed by a number of minutes. Play did not resume until Giroud was given a jersey, despite the fact that Chelsea star Noni Madueke, who received criticism for his performance in Atlanta, was among the players who were observed griping to the referee about the length of time it was taking to start the second half.
Hackett claimed that LAFC should be penalized for postponing kickoff in addition to criticizing Saez for his position.
“The referee should not have delayed the restart of the game because a substitute was not ready to enter the field of play appropriately dressed,” said the 80-year-old. “Some operational guidance on the significance of making sure the game starts at the right time must be given to the referee.
“The club should be fined by the tournament for not having their team prepared for the game’s restart. treated poorly by the match officials.
Lionel Messi should have been sent off during Inter Miami’s 0-0 draw with Al-Ahly on Sunday, according to a number of supporters, so Giroud is not the only well-known player who many feel should face consequences for their behavior at the Club World Cup. VAR chose not to step in when the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner seemed to headbutt one of the Al-Ahly defenders.
Because of this, some have suggested that Messi gets preferential treatment, while others contend that things might have turned out differently if another player had been in his position.
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