Controversy at 2024 FIDE Candidates: Firouzja Objects to Arbiter’s Decision

The 2024 FIDE Candidates tournament took an unexpected turn as French GM Alireza Firouzja found himself at the center of a controversy during his match against Russian player Ian Nepomniachtchi. The dispute arose when tournament arbiter Aris Marghetis asked Firouzja to refrain from walking during the game, claiming that the noise from his shoes was disrupting the match.

Firouzja took to social media to express his frustration, stating that the arbiter’s decision had affected his focus and ultimately led to a draw in the game. The French player argued that he was wearing normal, formal shoes and that similar decisions had been unfairly made against him in the past.

In response, Marghetis defended his actions, explaining that he had received a complaint from another player about the noise caused by Firouzja’s footsteps. The arbiter emphasized his responsibility to ensure a fair playing environment for all participants, leading him to intervene in the situation.

The controversy escalated further when Firouzja’s father, Hamidreza, threatened to involve the police if he was not allowed to watch his son’s games from the playing hall balcony whenever he pleased. FIDE’s Technical delegate Pavel Tregubov clarified that access for players’ entourage was restricted until the seventh round and limited to fifteen minutes thereafter.

Despite the tension, Tregubov indicated a willingness to accommodate Hamidreza’s viewing requests as long as he adhered to the rules. The incident serves as a reminder of the intense competition and high stakes involved in elite chess tournaments, where even minor disruptions can spark heated debates and controversies.