Soccer
England manager Tuchel calls for FIFA to make big World Cup rule change
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England manager Thomas Tuchel has called for FIFA to change the position of the photographers while his team sings the national anthem.
Tuchel was speaking after the Three Lions beat Croatia in their opening World Cup match 4-2 to go top of Group L.
The German is being showered with praise for how he turned his team's fortunes around at half-time, but he did reveal after the final whistle how his World Cup debut on the touchline was ruined at the Dallas Stadium.
'I'm begging FIFA to change the position of photographers'
In his post-match media duties, Tuchel was happy and honest about his team's performance.
However, there was one gripe he had, and it concerned the large number of photographers blocking his view during the national anthems.
"I have to tell you something, I’m begging FIFA to change the position of the photographers in the national anthem because I could not see my team in 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 a wall of 50 photographers half a metre away, and I could not see one single player, and it ruined, a little bit, my experience today."
"I loved the reaction"
Thomas Tuchel reflects on England's victory over Croatia
The presentation of the national anthems has changed for this World Cup with all 26 players from each team being positioned on the centre circle to sing their respective anthems instead of just the starting lineups standing in a line opposite the managerial dugouts.
While photographers under FIFA rules must stay behind the LED advertising boards, and stay in designated areas behind the goal or adjacent to the substitute benches, they are permitted to be on the touchline during the national anthems.
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