1994 Ballon d’Or winner Hristo Stoichkov has slammed both Jurgen Klopp and Enzo Maresca for their comments about this summer’s FIFA Club World Cup. The Bulgarian, who memorably played for Barcelona during his trophy-laden career, fiercely came to the defence of the competition after Klopp and Maresca, who have both had interested parties involved in the tournament, made complaints about the event.
The German claimed that the CWC was the ‘worst idea ever implemented in football,’ while Maresca vented his frustrations about the weather delay during Chelsea’s 4-1 win over Benfica. However, Stoichkov has now hit back at both their claims.
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The former striker claimed that Klopp was unhappy because of RB Slazburg's elimination
Sharing his thoughts on the CWC with a German news outlet, Klopp stated that: "The Club World Cup is the worst idea ever implemented in football. People who have never had anything to do with day-to-day business are coming up with ideas. I fear that next season players will suffer injuries they've never had before. If not, then it'll happen at the World Cup or afterwards."
In response, the former Barcelona man claimed that Klopp’s comments may have come as a result of RB Salzburg being dumped out of the competition early. The ex-Liverpool boss is the current Global Head of Soccer for Red Bull, with Salzburg one of the many teams that fall under that enterprise.
Speaking to Marca and El Mundo, as per GOAL, Stoichkov said:
"I didn't expect Jurgen to say that. Maybe he's upset because Salzburg is no longer in the competition. When Liverpool played in the Club World Cup and received money, they didn't complain. More respect is needed. What does Klopp prefer, playing in China, Japan, or Indonesia, or participating in a prestigious competition like this one? Liverpool played in this tournament, and I didn't hear them complain. He suddenly complains now, maybe because Red Bull is no longer on the teams' jerseys.
"It is an important tournament, a competition where many young players are starting out and can participate in a significant tournament. For me, it is fantastic. These complaints need to be taken more seriously."
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Stoichkov Slams Maresca's Complaints
The Chelsea boss was left unhappy by the two-hour delay in the clash with Benfica
Enzo Maresca
Meanwhile, Maresca did not hold back when discussing the two-hour weather delay in Chelsea's round of 16 tie with Benfica, which occurred with just four minutes left of regular time to play. When the game restarted, Benfica would go on to score an equaliser to send the game into extra-time, with Maresca saying after: "It's a joke. That's why I said it. If they're already suspended six games, probably there is something that is not working.
"I'm not here to decide the rule. I'm no one to decide the rule. I'm the last one. I'm talking as a manager. As a manager, it's difficult to manage two hours suspended."
In response, Stoichkov stated: Maresca complained about the rain in the Club World Cup… but what are we supposed to do? Give Infantino a remote control to stop it? They complain about everything these days."