Alan Shearer was left fuming at FIFA, accusing the international federation of being hypocritical in its stance on player welfare. Shearer criticised the third-place playoff match between England and France, claiming that the players needed to be resting.
Alan Shearer slammed FIFA. (X)
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Due to the World Cup, the 2025026 season was extended. Even the 2024-25 season was extended due to the Club World Cup. Players like Ousmane Dembele and Reece James have had little to no offseason for two years. Shearer also called out FIFA for greed, pointing out that the third-place playoff exists only to make more money.
Speaking to Betfair, Shearer said, "The third-place play-off at the World Cup is ridiculous. FIFA go on so much about player welfare yet they're making two teams that are out of the tournament travel to Miami to play in 37, 38 degrees heat for a third-place playoff. It's absolute nonsense."
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"The players should be on their way home, if not home now and already and on a holiday rather than hanging around for another three or four days to play in a meaningless game, which is only there to make more money.
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"The players should be on their way home, if not home now and already and on a holiday rather than hanging around for another three or four days to play in a meaningless game, which is only there to make more money.
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"It's utter nonsense. People say it's a chance to finish third in the world. No, let me tell you, all the players want to do now is get off on holiday and get away from the tournament. They're knocked out and they're not going to look back in 20 years' time and say, we were proud finishing third or fourth.
"It's nonsense for both France and England. We all know what this game is about unfortunately and it should be scrapped."
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The Bronze Final has been a mainstay at the World Cup since 1934. Even Thomas Tuchel claimed before the match that neither England nor France wanted to play this game. Meanwhile, French defender Ibrahim Konate called it a 'chocolate medal'.
England clinched a 6-4 victory against France in the third-place playoff match. Bukayo Saka scored a hat-trick, and Kylian Mbappe overtook Messi's record for World Cup goals, scoring twice in the second half. Now he has 22 goals and 10 in this World Cup, two ahead of Messi in the Golden Boot race.
It was also Didier Deschamps final match as France head coach, and he stepped down after the third-place playoff. After the match, he embraced his players and waved to the crowd as he exited the pitch.
Neelav Chakravarti has been part of the digital sports team at Hindustan Times since 2022, where he covers a wide range of disciplines, including chess, cricket, football, and Olympic sports. Working in a fast-paced digital newsroom, he regularly handles live blogs, breaking updates, and trending stories, combining speed with clarity to keep readers informed in real time. Chess remains both a professional beat and a personal passion for Neelav, and he closely tracks major international tournaments, player narratives, and emerging talents. He is particularly fascinated by the patience, calculation, and strategic depth the game demands, often exploring the psychological side of competition in his writing. Beyond sports journalism, Neelav has a deep interest in visual storytelling and filmmaking, actively participating in film festivals and engaging with independent cinema. He is especially drawn to films that capture the subtleties of everyday life and human relationships, appreciating storytelling that balances realism with emotional depth. This creative interest complements his approach to sports coverage, where he enjoys highlighting the human stories behind performances and results.
A history enthusiast by academic training, Neelav holds a bachelor’s degree in the subject and maintains a sustained interest in ancient and medieval Indian history, particularly in cultural and social transitions across eras. His curiosity about the past often shapes his perspective on contemporary narratives and long-form storytelling. When he isn’t tracking scores or developing storylines, Neelav enjoys spending time over the chessboard, relaxing with his cats, or listening to the Empire podcast by Anita Anand and William Dalrymple. He also enjoys reading long-form sports writing that explores the emotional and cultural layers of sport, while maintaining a quiet routine that balances reading, reflection, and occasional time with friends.
Stay updated with the latest sports news, including latest headlines and updates from the Durand Cup Final Live. Catch all the action from tennis Grand Slam tournaments, follow your favourite football teams and players with the latest match results, and get the latest on international hockey tournaments and series.
Stay updated with the latest sports news, including latest headlines and updates from the Durand Cup Final Live. Catch all the action from tennis Grand Slam tournaments, follow your favourite football teams and players with the latest match results, and get the latest on international hockey tournaments and series.
Home/Sports/Football/Alan Shearer blasts FIFA's 'player welfare' claims with scathing rant, demands World Cup third-place playoff be scrapped
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