Allegations have surfaced that the United Kingdom exerted pressure on FIFA to influence a match schedule.
The Round of 16 match between Mexico and England at the North and Central American World Cup was originally scheduled to be held in Mexico City at 6:00 p.m. local time on July 5. However, due to a storm forecast for the area, FIFA reportedly considered moving the kickoff six hours earlier to noon, according to the British newspaper The Sun.
When this news reached the English Football Association, concerns were raised.
The argument was that moving the match time forward would reduce the time available for English players to acclimatize to the high-altitude conditions, as the venue sits 2,240 meters above sea level.
The England team arrived in Mexico City on July 3, two days before the match. A shorter preparation time would have increasingly favored Mexico, which has played all its tournament matches at home.
It is reported that British Prime Minister Keir Starmer personally intervened in the matter.
The media outlet cited a source as saying, "Prime Minister Starmer strongly suspected that the Mexican side was trying to sabotage England's preparations and firmly put a stop to it with FIFA."
Ultimately, the match time remained as originally scheduled at 6:00 p.m. on July 5, though the actual kickoff was delayed by another hour to 7:00 p.m. due to severe weather at the venue.
On that day, England defeated Mexico 3-2 and successfully advanced to the quarterfinals.
Political interference in the World Cup has emerged as a point of contention in this tournament.
It was previously revealed that after U.S. star striker Folarin Balogun was sent off during the Round of 32 match against Bosnia and Herzegovina on July 2, rendering him ineligible for the next game, President Trump reportedly called FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
FIFA ultimately made an unprecedented decision to suspend the one-match ban imposed on Balogun for one year.
The United States, with Balogun in the starting lineup, concluded its World Cup journey today after a 1-4 defeat against Belgium.
Reported by Kim Jiuk | Video by Seo Byeong-uk | Graphics by Lee Jeong-ju | Produced by SBS Digital News
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