I have the same problems. My game started “1 min ago” but no bouncing balls to enter the match. Had to reopen the game 3 times to enter.

Also, during both competition matches and the asso event matches, the game froze for a while and jumped to 10-15 mins later in the match. And everytime, something important happens (injury, concede a goal, one of my players got booked, etc.).

Looks like the event just messed up the whole match engine.