Chelsea and Palmeira are likely to face punishment from FIFA following a heated altercation between Richard Rios and Enzo Fernandez during their Club World Cup quarter-final encounter, according to former FIFA referee and official Keith Hackett.
Softfootball reports that he incident took place during Chelsea’s 2-1 win over Palmeiras on Friday, a match that saw Estevao equalise for the Brazilian side before Weverton’s late own goal handed victory to the Blues. The match was intense from the outset, culminating in a heated confrontation between Rios and Fernandez.
The altercation quickly escalated, requiring teammates to intervene and separate the two players as tensions boiled over at Lincoln Financial Field Stadium. Despite the chaos, no cards were issued by the match official a decision Hackett says could lead to retrospective punishment from FIFA.
According to Football Insider, Hackett criticized the referee’s inaction:
“We have a very clear protocol. When a confrontation occurs, the referee must act swiftly. If issuing a card, it should be held at knee height to avoid further escalation.The minimum expected would be two yellow cards. None were given, that’s a clear failure in officiating.”
Hackett warned that both clubs could face disciplinary charges for failing to control their players, a standard FIFA charge for collective misconduct in international competitions. The resulting fines could reach as much as £250,000, a figure in line with similar cases.
Such sanctions are common in the Premier League, and FIFA are likely to follow a comparable approach. While Palmeiras have no recent disciplinary history of note, Chelsea’s situation could be worsened by prior infractions.
The London club already had issues in the group stage, where forward Nicolas Jackson received a two-match suspension for an incident against Flamengo. That precedent could lead to a harsher penalty, Hackett suggests.
Palmeiras, meanwhile, exit the tournament with not only the disappointment of elimination but also the looming threat of financial penalties. Chelsea, who now prepare for their semi-final, could face sanctions while the case remains under FIFA review.
Softfootball had previously reported that Thiago Silva is set for emotional Chelsea reunion in Club World Cup semifinals. Thiago Silva will face his former team, Chelsea, in an emotional reunion on Tuesday, July 9, at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey in the semi-final of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.
Having played Brazilian clubs twice in their 120 years of existence before the start of the ongoing Club World Cup, Chelsea are about to face such a fixture for the third time in under three weeks when they meet Fluminense in the semi-finals on Tuesday.
This clash is more than just a battle for a place in the final; it is a story of loyalty, legacy, and footballing excellence that fans around the world will be watching closely.
