England to get ‘ring of steel’ security in Mexico City after Ecuador sleep sabotage

England are set to be protected by a so-called “ring of steel” around their Mexico City hotel ahead of their World Cup last-16 tie, after Ecuador’s preparations for their own match against the hosts were disrupted by a night of chaos outside their team base.

According to the Daily Mail, Ecuador’s squad endured a miserable and sleepless night before facing Mexico, with cars, fog horns, fireworks and blaring music kept up outside their hotel. The disruption reportedly prompted a formal complaint to FIFA.

Chief sports reporter Mike Keegan writes that discussions are now under way between FIFA and local police to prevent Thomas Tuchel’s squad suffering the same fate before their own high-stakes last-16 fixture at the Azteca Stadium.

Security measures being finalised

The Daily Mail reports that while no final decisions have been confirmed, there is a strong expectation that a security cordon will be placed around England’s hotel to shield the players from the kind of noise disruption Ecuador experienced. Talks are said to be ongoing over the exact scale of the operation.

Ecuador’s players reportedly also suffered delays at the airport and on the roads during their time in the Mexican capital, adding to the disruption in the build-up to their match against the hosts.

England, by contrast, are understood to have been promised a police escort throughout their stay in Mexico City, as officials look to give Tuchel’s squad the best possible preparation for what is expected to be a fervent, high-pressure atmosphere at the Azteca.

Guarding against gamesmanship

The report notes that England’s camp has also been alert to the possibility of other forms of gamesmanship as they prepare for the knockout clash, with concerns raised over issues such as spying on training sessions and attempts to disturb the squad’s sleep.

The measures form part of a wider effort by Tuchel’s staff to ensure the Three Lions are not caught out by off-field distractions in what is being billed as one of the tournament’s toughest away assignments, given the hostile reputation of matches at altitude in the Mexican capital.

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