Mexico boss Javier Aguirre left furious with FIFA as England kick-off time seemingly changed
· Yahoo Sports
Mexico head coach Javier Aguirre has seemingly confirmed that their World Cup Round of 16 game against England has been moved to an earlier kick-off time, taking aim at FIFA over what he called a "kick in the gut."
FIFA have yet to officially announce that the match has been pushed forward six hours due to electrical thunderstorms, but Aguirre appears to have been briefed on the situation and is furious about the disruption.
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He told Spanish-Mexican journalist Joaquin López Doriga on Radio Formula: "That's right, it's like a kick in the gut, it changes everything, the plan. It's not that it's completely ruined, but almost, because you have to swallow six hours of scheduled training.
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"Obviously, we will abide by what FIFA says. I don't like it at all, nor do my players. Of course, the food, the nap, the sleep, the physiotherapy, everything, everything, it seems trivial, but it isn't.
"Today, 60 people are working here so that these 26 friends can go out on Sunday and win the game, I mean, it's not a small thing, the truth is that the change is quite important and I'll tell you this, well, I can understand reasons and arguments, but they didn't consult me and yes, I'm quite angry."
The match was originally scheduled for 6pm local time (8pm ET) but has now reportedly been moved to 12pm local time (2a pm ET), as per The Mirror.
When pressed on whether the rescheduling hands the hosts an advantage at Estadio Azteca, Aguirre responded emphatically: "Not at all, zero, name, no advantage whatsoever.
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"In the contrary, I tell you this is all designed so, since that day in Ecuador we talked, we knew the schedule, we knew the venue, we didn't know the opponent, that's true, but in the end, yes, they screw me over a little, yes, well yes, we have no choice but to abide by what FIFA says."
FIFA kept England completely in the dark, with FA officials only becoming aware of a possible scheduling change after spotting speculation circulating on social media among Mexican journalists.
Mirror Football also reached out to the Mexican Football Federation, who similarly maintained at the time that they had not been consulted regarding any potential switch.
Several England supporters are also scheduled to land in Mexico City from Heathrow Airport on Sunday at 2pm local time, meaning they would miss the match entirely.
The FA is believed to be deeply troubled by the consequences this change will have on England fans making the long journey from across the globe to witness their team in a landmark fixture at one of the game's most iconic venues.