Topics: Donald Trump, News, Sport, US News
Donald Trump caused a bit of a stir at the FIFA Club World Cup final earlier this month, and a Chelsea player has since spoken out about the odd incident.
Earlier this month Chelsea came out on top as the FIFA Club World Cup came to a close, beating out Paris Saint-German 3-0 at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium.
However, what would have been a memorable moment for each of the Chelsea players was partially overshadowed by a surprising guest, President of the United States Donald Trump.
Trump handed over the trophy, but while the FIFA president Gianni Infantino removed himself from shot Trump stayed standing alongside the team as they jumped up and down with delight.
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Many viewers described this moment as ‘absolutely embarrassing’
Now, Chelsea player Marc Cucurella has spoken out about the bemusement he and his teammates felt during this odd moment with Trump.
Speaking to Spanish journalist Gerard Romero, Cucurella opened up about the rather awkward moment after their victory.
According to a translation of the conversation, he said: “We had been told that, as a rule, Donald Trump would come to present us with the trophy and that we couldn't lift it until he left.
“We were all there waiting for him to leave - but the guy didn't want to leave - and on top of that, we looked at him and he said, 'Lift it up, I'll stay here’, and so on.
"I wondered who would say anything to him, you know... I was scared s***less."
Fellow teammate Cole Palmer admitted in an interview that he was caught off guard by Trump's actions during the celebration.
He said: "I knew he was going to be there, but I didn't know he was going be on the stand where we lift the trophy. So, I was a bit confused."
In another bizarre twist, the players won’t actually get to keep the trophy, since that is going to Trump as well.
Trump explained in a mid-game conversation with DAZN that he ended up with the trophy, which features a central disc with three rotating outer rings, as a gift.
Trump said: “They [FIFA] said: ‘Could you hold this trophy for a little while?’ We put it in the Oval Office and then I said: ‘When are you going to pick up the trophy’, and [FIFA President Gianni Infantino] said: ‘We’re never going to pick it up, you can have it forever in the Oval Office.
“And they actually made a new one [for Chelsea] but right now [the original] is in the Oval.”
