FIFA urged to ‘reassess’ proximity of World Cup advertising hoardings after Julio Enciso collision

Paraguay coach Gustavo Alfaro said the proximity of pitch-side advertising hoardings at World Cup matches should be reassesed after forward Julio Enciso collided with one during Thursday’s 0-0 draw with Australia.

The incident occurred after 58 minutes at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium. Enciso and Australia defender Alessandro Circati were challenging for the ball before the Strasbourg attacker’s momentum carried him beyond the byline and into a collision with the advertising boards behind the goal.

Enciso was seen holding the back of his head after contact with the hoardings, but was able to complete the remainder of the match after being helped to his feet by Circati.

“I think that maybe if there was more space ​that will be good because of course there’s a lot of intensity when we are playing, and sometimes if a player gets destabilised, ​he could fall and get injured and these things can ​happen,” Alfaro told a post-match news conference, in quotes reported by Reuters.

“So, maybe we have to think ‌about ⁠that and reassess.”

The Athletic has contacted FIFA for comment.

World football’s governing body says in its stadium guidelines that for “larger stadiums”, it recommends “that a total distance of five metres beyond each goal line and four metres beyond each touchline be provided before the placement of perimeter advertising boards”.

Thursday’s draw meant Paraguay finished third in Group D on four points and they face a wait to find out if they will qualify for the round of 32 as one of the best third-placed teams. The United States and Australia progress in first and second respectively, while Turkey were eliminated despite their last gasp win over the co-hosts.