CHELSEA and Manchester City players will be told to HIDE their Club World Cup passes – to prevent fake accreditation being made from TV pictures.
The Fifa astonishing demand surfaced after Bayern Munich’s opening 10-0 romp past New Zealand minnows Auckland City.
GettyClub World Cup players are being told to hide their passes when speaking to the media[/caption]
AlamyThomas Muller took extra precautions with his accreditation in the mixed zone[/caption]
Munich players, including England skipper Harry Kane, were instructed by Fifa officials to remove or turn round their accreditation passes before their post-match interviews in the mixed zone media area of the TQL Stadium in Cincinnati.
When they asked for an explanation, the players were informed that there were security concerns over the potential misuse of the passes.
The tournament lanyards contain a QR code allowing players, coaches and team support staff to get past security into the key areas of a stadium.
That includes dressing rooms, mixed zones and specific club-designated boxes at each stadium.
WATCH EVERY MATCH OF THE CLUB WORLD CUP 2025 LIVE ON DAZN
The fear from Fifa and officials at the tournament is that if a code is clearly visible during interviews, whether on TV or social media, it could be at risk of being filmed and copied.
That could then allow fake accreditation passes to be produced.
Were that to take place, unauthorised fakers could then get past the security operation to access secure areas.
The demand will be reinforced at every match.
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Chelsea are due to start their campaign against MLS side LAFC in Atlanta on Monday evening.
City’s first game will see Pep Guardiola’s side take on Wydad of Morocco in Philadelphia on Wednesday.
The “no visible passes” rule has also been passed on to the media covering the tournament.
The demand states that accredited journalists and broadcasters must not display their Club World Cup accreditations on any social media posts or TV appearances.
GettyChelsea begin their campaign against LAFC[/caption]
ReutersManchester City start by taking on Wydad from Morocco[/caption]
ReutersPep Guardiola will hope to lead City to another major trophy[/caption] Creator – [#item_custom_dc:creator]
