Real Madrid’s Club World Cup semi-final preparation disrupted by flight delay

SPORTIVO
Article arrow_drop_down

Real Madrid failed to attend their pre-match media activities ahead of Wednesday’s Club World Cup semi-final against Paris St. Germain following a flight delay caused by storms in the Miami and New York areas.

Coach Xabi Alonso’s press conference and the mixed zone interview session with players Thibaut Courtois, Federico Valverde and Jacobo Ramón were initially scheduled for 7:30 and 7:45 pm ET respectively, at MetLife Stadium.

Advertisement

However, Madrid’s scheduled 4 pm flight from the team’s Miami base was delayed an hour by adverse weather conditions. FIFA initially delayed Alonso’s press conference to 8:15 pm and made plans to scrap the mixed zone. The Athletic learned from a Madrid source at 7:28 pm that the team was still in mid-air and then, six minutes later, FIFA announced the cancellation of all Madrid press activities for the day. Madrid touched down safely at 8:52 pm.

“He’s not coming?! Really?!” PSG coach Luis Enrique said, when informed by The Athletic that Alonso wouldn’t do his press conference. “It doesn’t change anything to me, I didn’t know about the flight, I hope they can arrive normally.”

Madrid had initially planned to stay in New York ahead of the semifinal after defeating Borussia Dortmund in last weekend’s quarterfinal. However, the club changed plans during the tournament. After investing heavily in their base in Palm Beach, Fla., the decision was made to return there while preparing for the final stages of the competition.

The required attendance of media activities is covered under the Club World Cup’s list of regulations, with section 4.3 (e) stating the clubs are responsible for “attending all media conferences and other media activities organised by FIFA in accordance with the FIFA Media and Marketing Regulations, as well as with any other FIFA circular letters, guidelines, directives and/or decisions.”

Section 4.5 adds: “All participating clubs undertake to ensure that their players and officials attend and participate in all official activities and events including, without limitation, any Team Arrival Meeting, Match Coordination Meeting, press conference and other media and marketing activities in accordance with the FIFA Media and Marketing Regulations.”

FIFA had not responded to a request for comment from The Athletic by the time of publication, but a Real Madrid spokesperson said the club was not anticipating any fine or discipline for missing out on its obligation.

(Top photo: Richard Sellers / Sportsphoto / Allstar via Getty Images)

This news was originally published on this post .

About the author

About the author call_made

SPORTIVO

More posts

trending_flat
2026 NFL Draft: Preseason running back rankings

Jeremiyah Love is the jewel of the running back class: Love enters his first year of draft eligibility with a strong case to be RB1 in the 2026 NFL Draft. He was a key piece of Notre Dame’s 2024 national championship run, posting a stellar 91.8 rushing grade. Jaydn Ott will look to return to top form: Ott was one of college football’s most electric underclassmen at Cal, earning 90.1 and 89.5 rushing grades as a freshman and sophomore. His 2024 campaign was a step back, as he dropped to a 70.8 rushing grade after suffering an ankle injury in Week 1 that clearly limited him as he tried to play through it. Subscribe to PFF+: Get access to player grades, PFF Premium Stats, fantasy football rankings, all of the PFF fantasy draft research tools and more! Our early ranking series […]

trending_flat
Fantasy Football: IDP breakout candidates at defensive line for 2025

Laiatu Latu is well on track to deliver a big Year 2: After a promising rookie season and an elite prospect profile, Latu checks all the boxes for a potential breakout in 2025. Milton Williams earned a bag in free agency and now has to deliver for IDP: Williams broke out from an NFL perspective, but his IDP potential has yet to be fully unleashed, which should come to fruition this season. Subscribe to PFF+: Get access to player grades, PFF Premium Stats, fantasy football rankings, all of the PFF fantasy draft research tools and more! Estimated Reading Time: 8 minutes Each season, players take their game to new levels and significantly improve their fantasy production along the way. The defensive linemen so often depend on sacks in order to deliver a true breakout season, and while there is going […]

trending_flat
Horner sacked by Red Bull

Christian Horner has been sacked by Red Bull with immediate effect after 20 years as team principal of the Formula 1 team.Horner has been in charge of Red Bull since 2005, leading them to six Constructors and eight Drivers' Championships. Laurent Mekies has been appointed as CEO of Red Bull Racing, stepping up from the Racing Bulls team."We would like to thank Christian Horner for his exceptional work over the last 20 years," said Red Bull managing director Oliver Mintzlaff."With his tireless commitment, experience, expertise and innovative thinking, he has been instrumental in establishing Red Bull Racing as one of the most successful and attractive teams in Formula 1. "Thank you for everything, Christian, and you will forever remain an important part of our team history." Image: Christian Horner oversaw eight constructors' and six drivers' titles at Red Bull Horner […]

trending_flat
Perfect 12-team pick 7 2025 fantasy football draft strategy, round by round

Jalen Hurts is a great mid-third-round option: Hurts only averaged 21.3 PPR points per game last season, but with some long touchdown regression by Saquon Barkley, Hurts should throw more touchdown passes. Trust in Liam Coen: The best option in the first two rounds is a player Coen will be coaching and a player Coen helped lead last season. Subscribe to PFF+: Get access to player grades, PFF Premium Stats, fantasy football rankings, all of the PFF fantasy draft research tools and more! Estimated reading time: 13 minutes This perfect draft strategy for 12-team, single quarterback, redraft, PPR fantasy football leagues uses a consensus of current average draft positions (ADPs) from ESPN, Sleeper and Yahoo! to deliver a round-by-round guide for managers picking seventh overall. To find more information about any player mentioned in this article, click on the player's name […]

trending_flat
Caitlin Clark expected to return for Fever. Here’s how to watch their game vs. Valkyries

Following a two-week absence due to a groin injury, Caitlin Clark is expected to make her much-anticipated return Wednesday afternoon as the Indiana Fever welcome the Golden State Valkyries to Gainbridge Fieldhouse for the first time.They’re both expansion teams by different measures: one brand new, the other reshaped by a spotlight that doesn’t always wait for results. Now they meet as equals, both still figuring out what sticks when the hype fades.AdvertisementHow to watch Golden State Valkyries at Indiana Fever Venue: Gainbridge Fieldhouse — Indianapolis Time: Noon ET, Wednesday TV: NBA TV, WNBA League Pass (national); WTHR Channel 13, KPIX 5, KOVR 13 (in market) Streaming: Fubo (try for free) Watching in person? Get tickets on StubHub. The Valkyries (9-9) come to Indianapolis having lost two straight and three of five. On Monday, they fell 90-81 to Atlanta, surrendering 43.9 […]

trending_flat
Caitlin Clark expected to return for Fever. Here’s how to watch their game vs. Valkyries

Following a two-week absence due to a groin injury, Caitlin Clark is expected to make her much-anticipated return Wednesday afternoon as the Indiana Fever welcome the Golden State Valkyries to Gainbridge Fieldhouse for the first time.They’re both expansion teams by different measures: one brand new, the other reshaped by a spotlight that doesn’t always wait for results. Now they meet as equals, both still figuring out what sticks when the hype fades.AdvertisementHow to watch Golden State Valkyries at Indiana Fever Venue: Gainbridge Fieldhouse — Indianapolis Time: Noon ET, Wednesday TV: NBA TV, WNBA League Pass (national); WTHR Channel 13, KPIX 5, KOVR 13 (in market) Streaming: Fubo (try for free) Watching in person? Get tickets on StubHub. The Valkyries (9-9) come to Indianapolis having lost two straight and three of five. On Monday, they fell 90-81 to Atlanta, surrendering 43.9 […]

Related

trending_flat
2026 NFL Draft: Preseason running back rankings

Jeremiyah Love is the jewel of the running back class: Love enters his first year of draft eligibility with a strong case to be RB1 in the 2026 NFL Draft. He was a key piece of Notre Dame’s 2024 national championship run, posting a stellar 91.8 rushing grade. Jaydn Ott will look to return to top form: Ott was one of college football’s most electric underclassmen at Cal, earning 90.1 and 89.5 rushing grades as a freshman and sophomore. His 2024 campaign was a step back, as he dropped to a 70.8 rushing grade after suffering an ankle injury in Week 1 that clearly limited him as he tried to play through it. Subscribe to PFF+: Get access to player grades, PFF Premium Stats, fantasy football rankings, all of the PFF fantasy draft research tools and more! Our early ranking series […]

trending_flat
Fantasy Football: IDP breakout candidates at defensive line for 2025

Laiatu Latu is well on track to deliver a big Year 2: After a promising rookie season and an elite prospect profile, Latu checks all the boxes for a potential breakout in 2025. Milton Williams earned a bag in free agency and now has to deliver for IDP: Williams broke out from an NFL perspective, but his IDP potential has yet to be fully unleashed, which should come to fruition this season. Subscribe to PFF+: Get access to player grades, PFF Premium Stats, fantasy football rankings, all of the PFF fantasy draft research tools and more! Estimated Reading Time: 8 minutes Each season, players take their game to new levels and significantly improve their fantasy production along the way. The defensive linemen so often depend on sacks in order to deliver a true breakout season, and while there is going […]

trending_flat
Horner sacked by Red Bull

Christian Horner has been sacked by Red Bull with immediate effect after 20 years as team principal of the Formula 1 team.Horner has been in charge of Red Bull since 2005, leading them to six Constructors and eight Drivers' Championships. Laurent Mekies has been appointed as CEO of Red Bull Racing, stepping up from the Racing Bulls team."We would like to thank Christian Horner for his exceptional work over the last 20 years," said Red Bull managing director Oliver Mintzlaff."With his tireless commitment, experience, expertise and innovative thinking, he has been instrumental in establishing Red Bull Racing as one of the most successful and attractive teams in Formula 1. "Thank you for everything, Christian, and you will forever remain an important part of our team history." Image: Christian Horner oversaw eight constructors' and six drivers' titles at Red Bull Horner […]

trending_flat
Perfect 12-team pick 7 2025 fantasy football draft strategy, round by round

Jalen Hurts is a great mid-third-round option: Hurts only averaged 21.3 PPR points per game last season, but with some long touchdown regression by Saquon Barkley, Hurts should throw more touchdown passes. Trust in Liam Coen: The best option in the first two rounds is a player Coen will be coaching and a player Coen helped lead last season. Subscribe to PFF+: Get access to player grades, PFF Premium Stats, fantasy football rankings, all of the PFF fantasy draft research tools and more! Estimated reading time: 13 minutes This perfect draft strategy for 12-team, single quarterback, redraft, PPR fantasy football leagues uses a consensus of current average draft positions (ADPs) from ESPN, Sleeper and Yahoo! to deliver a round-by-round guide for managers picking seventh overall. To find more information about any player mentioned in this article, click on the player's name […]

trending_flat
Caitlin Clark expected to return for Fever. Here’s how to watch their game vs. Valkyries

Following a two-week absence due to a groin injury, Caitlin Clark is expected to make her much-anticipated return Wednesday afternoon as the Indiana Fever welcome the Golden State Valkyries to Gainbridge Fieldhouse for the first time.They’re both expansion teams by different measures: one brand new, the other reshaped by a spotlight that doesn’t always wait for results. Now they meet as equals, both still figuring out what sticks when the hype fades.AdvertisementHow to watch Golden State Valkyries at Indiana Fever Venue: Gainbridge Fieldhouse — Indianapolis Time: Noon ET, Wednesday TV: NBA TV, WNBA League Pass (national); WTHR Channel 13, KPIX 5, KOVR 13 (in market) Streaming: Fubo (try for free) Watching in person? Get tickets on StubHub. The Valkyries (9-9) come to Indianapolis having lost two straight and three of five. On Monday, they fell 90-81 to Atlanta, surrendering 43.9 […]

trending_flat
Caitlin Clark expected to return for Fever. Here’s how to watch their game vs. Valkyries

Following a two-week absence due to a groin injury, Caitlin Clark is expected to make her much-anticipated return Wednesday afternoon as the Indiana Fever welcome the Golden State Valkyries to Gainbridge Fieldhouse for the first time.They’re both expansion teams by different measures: one brand new, the other reshaped by a spotlight that doesn’t always wait for results. Now they meet as equals, both still figuring out what sticks when the hype fades.AdvertisementHow to watch Golden State Valkyries at Indiana Fever Venue: Gainbridge Fieldhouse — Indianapolis Time: Noon ET, Wednesday TV: NBA TV, WNBA League Pass (national); WTHR Channel 13, KPIX 5, KOVR 13 (in market) Streaming: Fubo (try for free) Watching in person? Get tickets on StubHub. The Valkyries (9-9) come to Indianapolis having lost two straight and three of five. On Monday, they fell 90-81 to Atlanta, surrendering 43.9 […]

Be the first to leave a comment

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Sportivo bridges the gap between talent and opportunity.

About SPORTIVO

Sportivo Network is a dedicated social platform for sports enthusiasts, athletes, and scouts. Whether you’re an aspiring athlete looking for opportunities, a coach searching for talent, or simply a sports lover wanting to connect with like-minded people, Sportivo is your go-to network. With features like direct messaging, profile showcasing, and talent scouting, Sportivo bridges the gap between talent and opportunity. Here, you can share your achievements, interact with professionals, and open doors to the next level in your sports journey. Join Sportivo Network – because every great athlete deserves to be discovered!
Copyright © 2025 SPORTIVO News. and SPORTIVO Network. All rights reserved.

Login to enjoy full advantages

Please login or subscribe to continue.

Go Premium!

Enjoy the full advantage of the premium access.

Stop following

Unfollow Cancel

Cancel subscription

Are you sure you want to cancel your subscription? You will lose your Premium access and stored playlists.

Go back Confirm cancellation