Neville accuses FIFA of sporting integrity breach over last-minute England-Mexico schedule change

Gary Neville has accused FIFA of undermining sporting integrity after the governing body proposed moving England’s World Cup last-16 clash with Mexico forward by six hours — less than 48 hours before kick-off — citing the threat of thunderstorms and potential flooding in Mexico City.

England were scheduled to face Javier Aguirre’s side at 1am UK time, but the proposed change would shift the match to noon local time (6am UK). Thomas Tuchel had built his entire preparation around a 6pm local kick-off, and both England and Mexico officials are reported to have learned of the potential change at the eleventh hour.

“Playing at 12 in Mexico vs playing at six in the evening is very, very different,” Neville said. “For our players, it’s worse — let’s be really clear. It’s a sporting disadvantage to England. There is a sporting integrity issue here as well, because I’ve never seen a League Two game moved, I’ve never seen a Sunday League game moved. FIFA are sort of willy-nilly making it up and moving a game. It just feels a bit strange.”

Neville, who served on England’s coaching staff at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, drew on that experience to underline how damaging a last-minute schedule shift can be. “In 2014, I was part of the coaching staff that went to Brazil and we played our first game at altitude in Manaus,” he said. “You prepare every single minute of detail — when you fly in, so you’re exposed to the altitude at the right time. You do prepare everything in relation to the conditions and kick-off time.”

The former Manchester United captain acknowledged that England’s players were unlikely to voice their frustration publicly. “They’ll get on with it and they’ll never put anything negative out because they can’t — it would be defeatist,” he said. “But if FIFA do do this, it is a disadvantage to England’s players and their preparations.”

England are not alone in their frustration. Mexico head coach Aguirre is also reported to be angered by the lack of notice, meaning both camps have been left scrambling to adjust plans at short notice. FIFA has yet to officially confirm the change.