Mexico manager Javier Aguirre has appeared to confirm that the kick-off time of the game against England has changed — and says the late scheduling change has made him “angry”.
FIFA have been giving serious consideration to changing the kick off time of the round of 16 match.
The round of 16 match between England and Mexico was due to kick off at 6pm local time on Sunday at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, which was 1am BST on Monday morning.
But the threat of thunderstorms and heavy rainfall means it looks set to begin at 12 noon local time and 7pm BST in the UK.
Aguirre, speaking to Spanish-Mexican journalist Joaquin Lopez Doriga on Radio Formula, said: “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.
“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.”
The Mexico manager added: “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."
When he was asked whether the change gives hosts Mexico an advantage at the Azteca, Aguirre replied: “Not at all, zero, name, no advantage whatsoever.
"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."
