Thomas Tuchel complaint following England win prompts FIFA World Cup rule change
England boss Thomas Tuchel was left so upset by the overwhelming presence of photographers during the national anthem prior to their win against Croatia on Wednesday that he called upon FIFA to make a change.
The Three Lions made a stunning start to the World Cup in Arlington, Texas, after defeating Croatia 4-2 in the Group L opener. Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham, and Marcus Rashford found the back of the net for England, who will now turn their attention to Ghana, before wrapping up the group stage against Panama.
There is widespread confidence that England could end its 60-year drought for an international trophy, and expectations have risen following an impressive opening. It was also a significant victory for Tuchel, but hours after his grievances to FIFA, the soccer governing body agreed to alter touchline positions, as per The Mirror US.
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Wednesday marked Tuchel’s first World Cup match in charge of England, and he was surrounded by photographers as the national anthem played. With Tuchel being German, there was considerable curiosity as to whether he would sing England’s national anthem.
Tuchel ultimately didn’t sing God Save The King, as photographers stood mere meters away from him during the anthem. Tuchel was frustrated by the excessive media presence and urged FIFA to make a change, as he couldn’t even see his players.
“I have to tell you something, I am begging FIFA to change the position of the photographers in the national anthem because I could not see my team in the national anthem,” he said. “I was waiting for this moment.
“It was a very, very special moment today, and I was standing in front of a wall of 50 photographers, half a meter away, and I could not see one single player. It ruined a little bit my experience.
“It is very emotional. When I was young and when I started coaching, this was too big to dream of this kind of occasion.”
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Per The Times, FIFA has agreed to reposition coaching staff further along the touchline to ensure their sightlines to the players aren’t obstructed by photographers during the national anthems. It’s a straightforward adjustment, but a swift response from FIFA.
Photographers were eager to capture Tuchel’s every reaction during the anthem, yet he wasn’t prepared to join in. Tuchel confessed to being too self-conscious, wary of the scrutiny or attention it might attract.
“I think we are not there yet. At the very end maybe,” he said. “I am still a bit shy. I don’t want to offend people and don’t want to have the focus on that now.”
Tuchel will now turn his attention to preparing England for their game against Ghana, who secured a last-minute victory over Panama on Wednesday. Ghana are now level at the top of the group with England, while both Panama and Croatia remain on zero points.
Victory against Ghana would seal England’s spot in the Round of 32 and hand Tuchel the opportunity to rotate his squad against Panama. There remains plenty of work ahead, but it has been an ideal opening for England.
