KEIR Starmer personally stepped in to stop FIFA from bringing forward the kick-off for the England vs Mexico game, it has been reported.
According to The Sun, the Prime Minister told the FA he was opposed to moving the World Cup match from 1am UK time to 7pm last night because it would give England’s players less time to adapt to the altitude and give Mexico an unfair advantage.
There had been talk of the round-of-16 tie – which England won 3-2 – being moved forward by six hours to avoid disruption from forecast thunderstorms in Mexico City. However, FIFA ended up opting against it, keeping the same kick off – although it was delayed by an hour due to the weather in the end.
The Sun understands that the English FA made contact with No 10 to see if they would accept moving the time.
A source told the newspaper: “The Mexicans were really talking up the storm and were pressing to move the game.
“But Keir was having none of it and suspected they were trying to derail the England preparations by giving less time to adapt to the altitude, so he put his foot down.”
England started well 2200 metres above sea level when the last-16 tie eventually got under way, with Jude Bellingham’s quickfire brace silencing supporters whose hopes would be revived by Julian Quinones before the break.
Mexican belief grew further when right-back Quansah was sent off for a clumsy challenge early in the second half, only for Tuchel’s team to immediately respond through skipper Harry Kane’s spot-kick.
Raul Jimenez added a penalty of his own to increase English nerves, yet the visitors showed defensive nous and togetherness to win on a wild night in Mexico City.
England’s reward for knocking out co-hosts Mexico is a World Cup quarter-final against Brazil’s conquerors Norway at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.
