FIFA World Cup: England greeted with boos after delaying Mexico arrival over ‘spy’ fears before last-16 clash – Watch | Football News
England were welcomed by boos from local fans after arriving in Mexico City ahead of their FIFA World Cup round of 16 clash against co-hosts Mexico, following a delayed trip aimed at keeping their preparations away from public view.According to The Sun, England manager Thomas Tuchel and the Football Association chose to keep the squad at their training base in Kansas City for as long as possible before travelling to Mexico City. The move was made to prevent rival teams from watching England’s training sessions before the knockout match.The report said England delayed their arrival to stop “spies” from observing their preparations.Security around the England camp has also been increased, with police and security personnel monitoring the team’s base. Tuchel wants his players to adjust to the high-altitude conditions at the Azteca Stadium without revealing his tactical plans before the match.Despite the precautions, England received a hostile welcome when they reached their hotel. Mexico supporters gathered outside the team hotel, chanting “Mexico” and booing as the England team bus arrived ahead of the last-16 fixture.Security was tightened around the hotel following an incident involving Ecuador during the previous round.After Mexico’s round-of-32 match against Ecuador in Mexico City, Ecuador lodged a noise complaint with FIFA. According to reports, local supporters gathered outside Ecuador’s hotel late at night, using loudspeakers, horns and motorcycles to disturb the players.Mexico went on to win that match 2-0.Ecuador had stayed at the Westin Hotel, and England wanted to keep the location of their own hotel undisclosed. However, there were concerns that the team’s location had been leaked.When the England squad arrived on Friday (local time), hundreds of local supporters were waiting outside. Some chanted “Mexico”, while others booed.According to the BBC, members of Mexico’s National Guard were stationed at the entrance of England’s hotel, while police officers in riot gear stood behind barriers outside the property.England arrived two days before the match because FIFA rules require teams in the knockout stage to hold a partly open training session in the host city on the day before the game.The team’s preparations were also affected on Friday after reports emerged that FIFA was considering moving the kick-off six hours earlier because of forecast storms.The proposal was discussed less than 48 hours before the match, but both the Football Association and the Mexican Football Federation (FMF) opposed the idea. The match will now be played at its original scheduled time.England will also have to deal with the conditions in Mexico City, which sits around 2,240 metres above sea level. The higher altitude means there is less oxygen available.
