Chelsea Club World Cup match suspended with minutes left as crowd told to find shelter

Chelsea's Club World Cup match with Benfica was suspended with only minutes remaining due to safety concerns. After 86 minutes had been played, the referee blew his whistle and told the players to leave the pitch, with the American crowd urged to find shelter in a message displayed on the big screen.

Lightning in Charlotte, United States, has prompted a severe weather warning which caused the game to be halted. Blues boss Enzo Maresca was seen visibly irate on the touchline as he called for the match to be completed. The English side had been leading 1-0 thanks to Reece James' free-kick.

Marc Cucurella could also be seen protesting towards referee Slavko Vincic, but the official had to follow strict protocol in the area, with the Club World Cup hit by several such delays throughout the tournament.

A message displayed at the Bank of America Stadium read: "Seek cover protocol. Sever weather in the area. Seek cover."

FIFA issued a statement which read: "Due to adverse weather conditions in Charlotte, including the risk of lightning in the vicinity of Bank of America Stadium, the FIFA Club World Cup match between SL Benfica and Chelsea FC has been suspended. A 30-minute break has been foreseen. FIFA will follow the established safety protocols, and the match will resume as soon as it's safe to do so."

A second 30-minute delay was put in place to keep both sides waiting, having to stand by for an hour to play just four more minutes of the second half, plus stoppage time.

Rules at the Club World Cup state that if there is lightning within 10 miles of the stadium, the match is automatically suspended. The match director is informed, who tells the referee to stop the match, with players and staff taken to the dressing rooms.

The winner of the match advances to the quarter-final to face Brazilian giant Palmeiras, which could set up a meeting between Chelsea and Estevao Willian.

The Blues have agreed a deal to sign the South American wonderkid and he will move to London after the tournament, but he is eligible to play against them should the two sides meet in the next round.

The match between Chelsea and Benfica became the sixth at the tournament to be delayed because of weather, though the first knockout tie.

It is a worrying trend ahead of next year's World Cup, played in the United States, Canada and Mexico, with FIFA organisers sure to be fretting about weather-related dilemmas plaguing their events.