Panama coach Christiansen says World Cup tiebreak rule bad for competition

Panama coach Thomas Christiansen has voiced strong criticism of a new FIFA World Cup tiebreak rule, which has mathematically eliminated his team from contention before their final group game. Panama's journey in the tournament concluded after losses to Ghana and Croatia, leaving them with no path to the knockout stage, even if they were to defeat England.

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It's a shame, as before this fixture, we are already out. So that removes the excitement on our side.

Christiansen lamented the rule's impact on the competition's integrity and excitement. "It's a shame, as before this fixture, we are already out. So that removes the excitement on our side," he told reporters. He argued that when new rules are implemented, their feedback and impact should be considered, especially when they render a match less meaningful for one of the participating teams.

"When there are new laws or new rules, you see the feedback, how it works, and you see how the situation leaves a group with a match that is not that important anymore," Christiansen explained. He believes this diminishes the competitive spirit, even if the match remains significant for other teams, like England, who are still vying for group positioning.

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When there are new laws or new rules, you see the feedback, how it works, and you see how the situation leaves a group with a match that is not that important anymore.

Despite the disappointment, Christiansen aims for his team to finish the tournament on a positive note. "Tomorrow, we'd like to leave on a good note and make history, and hopefully positive history, not negative history," he said. He acknowledged the pride in qualifying Panama for their second-ever World Cup but expressed a "bittersweet taste" due to the circumstances of their elimination.

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Tomorrow, we'd like to leave on a good note and make history, and hopefully positive history, not negative history.