TEXAS — England manager Thomas Tuchel has called on FIFA to reconsider the positioning of photographers during pre-match ceremonies after saying they blocked his view of his players during the national anthem ahead of England’s World Cup opener against Croatia.
Tuchel made the comments after England’s 4-2 victory over Croatia on Wednesday, a match that marked his World Cup debut as England coach.
The German said he had been looking forward to watching his team during the playing of “God Save the King” but was unable to do so because photographers were stationed directly in front of the England bench.
During the anthem, Tuchel was seen gesturing toward photographers in an attempt to get them to move. When they remained in place, he put his arm around members of his coaching staff and watched the ceremony on the stadium’s giant screen instead.
“I’m begging FIFA to change the position of the photographers because I could not see my team during the national anthem, and I was waiting for this moment,” Tuchel said.
“It was a very, very special moment today and I was standing in front of 50 photographers half a meter away and I could not see one single player.
“It ruined a little bit my experience today.”
England opened its World Cup campaign with an entertaining win over Croatia, with Harry Kane scoring twice to equal Gary Lineker’s England record of 10 World Cup goals. Jude Bellingham and Marcus Rashford also found the net as the Three Lions made a strong start to their Group L campaign.
Tuchel’s side will next face Ghana on Tuesday before concluding the group stage against Panama four days later.
Source: Saudi Gazette