Paris Saint-Germain manager, Luis Enrique has voiced strong concerns over the scheduling of Club World Cup matches, calling the mid-day kick-off times unsuitable for top-tier football due to extreme heat conditions.
Speaking after PSG’s commanding 4-0 victory over Atletico Madrid in their group opener on Sunday in Pasadena, Los Angeles, Luis Enrique criticized the decision to hold games under the blazing sun.
Temperatures during the match soared to nearly 40°C with 60% humidity, leaving players visibly drained.
“The match was clearly influenced by the temperature,” Enrique stated. “The time slot is great for European audiences, but the teams are suffering. In terms of play, it’s impossible to perform at a very high level for 90 minutes.”
PSG are set to face Brazil’s Botafogo in the same venue on Wednesday, though the kick-off time will be at 6pm local time, a slightly more tolerable period.
Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid will travel north to Seattle for their next fixture, where weather forecasts predict a much cooler 19°C.
Adrien Truffert Joins Bournemouth in €17m Deal
Premier League side, Bournemouth have confirmed the signing of French left-back Adrien Truffert from Stade Rennais.
The 22-year-old defender joins as a direct replacement for Milos Kerkez, who is reportedly close to joining Liverpool.
Bournemouth finalized the deal with a €13.5 million base fee, plus €3.5 million in performance-related add-ons. Rennes will retain a 10% sell-on clause.
Truffert, who made his debut for France in September 2022, amassed 191 appearances for Rennes, contributing nine goals and 23 assists across domestic and European competitions.
He has signed a five-year contract with Bournemouth, keeping him at the club until 2030. The move marks a significant addition to Andoni Iraola’s squad as they prepare for the upcoming Premier League season.
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