FRANCOIS LETEXIER TO OFFICIATE CHELSEA'S CLUB WORLD CUP SEMI-FINAL AGAINST FLUMINENSE
EL-ZION NEWS
Chelsea’s determined push for Club World Cup success continues to gain momentum, but as they prepare for a critical semi-final showdown against Brazilian heavyweights Fluminense, all eyes are turning to a familiar—and sometimes controversial—figure who will take charge of the match.
French referee Francois Letexier has officially been appointed to officiate the high-stakes encounter. Letexier is no stranger to Chelsea or the drama that can come with top-tier football. His appointment stirs memories for Blues supporters, particularly due to his previous involvement in crucial matches involving the West London club.
“Francois Letexier from France will be running the semi-final,” a report confirmed. While this may appear to be a standard refereeing assignment, Letexier’s track record with Chelsea adds tension to an already intense matchup.
The French official has presided over three previous Chelsea matches. While the Blues emerged victorious in two of them, the lone defeat stands out in the minds of supporters. “The defeat came in the wake of Graham Potter’s exit from the club, when they were looking to do the impossible and beat Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals,” one report recalled.
That match saw Chelsea fall 2-0 to Real Madrid and was marred by a red card shown to £50 million signing Ben Chilwell for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity—an incident that effectively extinguished hopes of a comeback.
Letexier’s appointment comes at a critical time, with Chelsea’s current Club World Cup campaign plagued by disciplinary issues. The team has struggled to maintain composure, having already picked up 12 yellow cards throughout the tournament.
Notably, Moises Caicedo missed the quarter-final due to suspension, while key players Levi Colwill and Liam Delap will be sidelined for the semi-final after accumulating too many bookings.
Although the tournament’s rules reset yellow cards ahead of the final—meaning players with a single caution will not be suspended—the risk of red cards remains. “While a yellow card will not see any Chelsea players suspended for the final, a red card obviously will,” a report cautioned.
Letexier's history of strict officiating adds to the pressure. In his most recent Club World Cup appearance, he oversaw a fiery clash between Palmeiras and Botafogo, issuing 11 yellow cards and a red card. Such precedent suggests Chelsea must tread carefully in their approach.
Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca now faces a series of delicate decisions as he prepares his squad for this vital fixture. One of the notable returns is Nicolas Jackson, back from suspension following his red card against Flamengo. However, the striker was benched during the quarter-final, and his inclusion remains uncertain.
With Letexier known for a no-nonsense approach, every tactical decision, challenge, and moment on the pitch could carry significant weight. Chelsea must strike a perfect balance between intensity and discipline if they hope to secure a place in the final.
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