FIFA MOVES CLUB WORLD CUP THIRD-PLACE MATCH FROM RABAT TO TANGIER

FIFA said on Thursday that the Club World Cup third-place match between Brazil’s Flamengo and Egypt’s Al Ahly, which was scheduled to take place in Rabat before the final on Saturday, has been changed to Tangier.

In order to protect the pitch at Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium for the championship match between Real Madrid and Al Hilal, the host nation of Morocco chose to change the location.

Fans who traveled to Morocco were confused and upset by the decision, which was made 48 hours before the game and has left them with a lot of logistical hassles.

Around 15,000 Brazilian fans who traveled to Morocco must choose whether to stay in Rabat for the final or go to Tangier to witness their club after watching South American champion Flamengo suffer a 3-2 upset loss to Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal in the quarterfinals.

FIFA stated in a statement that “those who have purchased tickets for the double-header will be informed shortly.

The third-place match in Tangier will be broadcast live thanks to special travel arrangements made by ONCF, Morocco’s main railroad company.

“Ticket holders will have the opportunity to ask for a refund of existing tickets or swap their current tickets for new ones for the third-place game.”

Following the semifinal defeat, 10% of Outsider’s clientele in Brazil requested to return home.

The fans were “lost in translation” as a result of FIFA’s decision, Tatiana Ribeiro of the travel company Ribeiro Viagens told Reuters.

“You cannot suddenly change the venue of an international competition like this. It shows the utmost disrespect to the supporters who assumed they would see a double-header regardless of the outcome of the final.

“The majority of Brazilian travelers have Sunday morning departures from Casablanca, which is only one hour away from Rabat. It takes four hours to drive to Tangier. There is no time or room for alteration with regard to hotel and flight reservations. It’s insane.