Exclusive: Chelsea, Palmeiras set for substantial fine over Enzo Fernandez incident
Chelsea and Palmeiras are likely to face punishment from FIFA following an incident involving midfielder Enzo Fernandez, according to Keith Hackett.
The former PGMOL chief and ex-FIFA official exclusively told Football Insider that both teams at the Club World Cup could face a fine of up to £250,000 after failing to control their players on Saturday, 5 July.
Enzo Maresca‘s side are through to the semi-finals of the Club World Cup after beating the Brazilian giants, but the game was not without its controversial moments at the Lincoln Financial Field Stadium.
Cole Palmer‘s opening goal was cancelled out by Stamford Bridge-bound Estavao before a Weverton own goal during the final 10 minutes saw the Blues progress to the next round.
Chelsea versus Palmeiras full of controversy
Centre-back Levi Colwill was a frustrated figure against Palmeiras, once again complaining to the officials about different decisions, with Hackett suggesting that the player is gaining a bad reputation.
However, it was a coming together between Chelsea’s Fernandez and Palmeiras’ Richard Rios that stole the spotlight, with the national rivals sparking a “mass confrontation” on the pitch.
Having had history on the international stage, teammates were forced to separate the two players, and while neither player was sanctioned by the referee, Hackett is expecting FIFA to take retrospective action.
Nicolas Jackson was already handed a two-game ban for his challenge in the Blues’ defeat to Flamengo during the group stage, with the club now possibly facing worse punishment this time around.
Enzo Fernandez’s clash to spark FIFA sanction
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former referee said: “The charge in England for that situation would be for failing to control the players. That would be on the club, which has been invoked on a regular basis over the last few years, so I would expect something similar in this competition.
“We have a very clear protocol in England. The referee needs to get in quickly, and if he’s going to yellow card someone, he has it down by his knee so he can reduce the tension and stop players rushing into the conflict zone.
“The minimum you would expect is two yellow cards. No yellows were handed out, so that is a failure. That is where English football, in terms of mass confrontation, is ahead of the game. Next will be the charge for failure to control their players, and that could be quite a substantial fine, up to £250,000.”