Sports
England vs Mexico Could be Delayed Over Weather Issues
For fans outside of the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the timing of games has been one issue to contend with when watching certain World Cup fixtures. This will be very apparant for those who want to watch England take on Mexico in their upcoming Round of 16 match, with the game set to kick off at 1am (GMT).
Having finished top of Group L, Thomas Tuchel’s men met DR Congo in the next round but struggled against their underdog opposition, falling behind to a fine effort from Brian Cipenga in the 7th minute. It took until the 75th minute before Harry Kane found a leveller and then won the game with four minutes to play.
As a result, England will take on Mexico at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City. The tournament co-hosts beat Ecuador 2-0 in their previous outing, having also finished top of their group (A).
More Than Just Altitude Could Cause Chaos During England vs Mexico
Much has been made about the altitude difficulties England will face during the fixture, which takes place at 6pm local time. This is because Estadio Azteca sits at 2,200 metres (7,218 ft) above sea level, making it the highest altitude stadium in North America.
Mexico have lost just twice in 89 competitive matches at the stadium, with it widely believed that the altitude hinders opposition teams when visiting. Tuchel’s men will have to deal with less oxygen in every breath, while there is also less resistance on the ball, causing it to move faster, which could catch out players unfamiliar with the conditions.
With all this to worry about, there is one more key issue that could impact the occasion, as thunderstorms are expected that evening in Mexico City. According to the Met Office forecast, they tempestuous weather is expected to begin an hour before kick-off.
The report notes that the thunderstorms are forecast between 17:00 and 19:00 local time. As such, the game could be delayed, as was seen when poor conditions halted France’s 3-0 win over Iraq in Philadelphia by two hours. England also faced weather delays in the US ahead of their pre-World Cup friendly against Costa Rica.
Any major storms could prove disastrous for England fans hoping to watch the Mexico game in UK pubs. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has made sure that the venues will be allowed to stay open until 5am on Monday morning, but things could get tight if the game is delayed.
Monday’s match in Mexico is not expected to finish until at least 03:00, but if the game is delayed, fans might be forced out before the full-time whistle is blown. What’s more, if injury time and penalties are required, it will make timing towards the end of the match even tighter.
US Have Strict Rules Over Lightening Near Sport Stadiums
According to US rules, via TalkSport, play must be stopped if a lightning strike is detected within eight miles of a stadium. A match can only resume after 30 minutes have passed since the last lightning strike, and that countdown resets if more bad weather arrives.
Fox Weather meteorologist Stephen Morgan has explained:
“We’ve had some increased moisture in Mexico and, with that in mind, we might have some rain in the area. It’s the lightening I would be concerned with rather than the rain.
“If there’s a lightening strike within an eight-mile radius of the stadium they will have to postpone the game and there will be a chance we will have some storms for Azteca Stadium.”
Speaking on all the issues his team could face against Mexico, England boss Tuchel accepted their World Cup rivals have a ‘huge advantage’ due to the altitude, adding: “The ball will fly differently [at altitude]. It will fly maybe five yards more. It’s just difficult. We just need the experience.”
Even so, he insisted his players won’t be looking for excuses. “Bring it on,” he said, before noting: “It’s a very beautiful and exciting fixture. There will be lots of obstacles, but this team will be ready, whatever it takes.”
Sports
Man Utd Set to Complete Signing of Kit Margetson
Manchester United are set to complete the signing of a 6 ft 4 player as they look set to add to their goalkeeping department, according to BBC Sport.
Man United‘s summer recruitment is starting to be questioned by some supporters after Tottenham Hotspur signed two midfielders they have been heavily linked with in a big-money double swoop.
Spurs have spent £185m on Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali, with the Red Devils making the former their number one midfield target after accepting that a move for Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson was dead in the water once the England international decided he preferred a move to rivals Manchester City instead.
United have got Ederson through the door with a move expected to be completed later this month when he returns from representing Brazil at the 2026 World Cup, but their incoming business has slowed up since, which is causing frustration after Tottenham agreed their sixth signing.
Still, Liverpool have only added one new face too and Arsenal none as of yet, so they aren’t too far behind and the World Cup was always likely to cause delays for certain targets, with Aurelien Tchouameni just one of their targets still going strong in North America for France.
BBC: Man Utd Poised to Sign Kit Margetson
While Senne Lammens has nailed down the number one shirt at Old Trafford following his debut season at the club, a reshuffle of United’s goalkeeping department is expected this summer.
Andre Onana has rejoined Turkish side Trabzonspor on another season-long loan deal, while there have been rumours that Altay Bayindir could also depart.
With Tom Heaton already extending his stay at Old Trafford, an exit for Bayindir would mean United need to sign a new back-up stopper.
They are closing in on signing Swansea youngster Kit Margetson, according to the BBC, but he is unlikely to be thrust straight into the first-team plans should a move be completed.
The Wales Under-21 international is yet to make a first-team appearance for Swansea, but did play regular senior football for Connah’s Quay Nomads last term.
Still, the Championship outfit were keen to tie the 6 ft 4 stopper down to new terms, but he is now set to join United instead for a compensation fee.
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Man United Working on Second Goalkeeper Deal
Man United look to have decided that their ideal goalkeeper signing this summer will be an experienced stopper who has played in the Premier League before.
Two of the most heavily linked players are former Red Devil Sam Johnstone, who could leave recently-relegated Wolverhampton Wanderers this summer, and Karl Darlow.
Leeds United have been in contract talks with the 35-year-old over staying at Elland Road after his contract expired on June 30, but now Man United are said to have tabled a contract offer to the Wales international to move to Old Trafford instead.
The club will be looking to sort the situation as soon as possible so they have the right support around Lammens from the beginning of pre-season.
Sports
Fulham Enter Race for Man Utd’s Top Winger Target Summerville
Fulham have now entered the race to sign Manchester United’s top target in the summer transfer window, according to journalist Jacob Steinberg.
It’s been a difficult few weeks in the transfer market for United as they miss out on a number of their key targets.
Elliot Anderson has now officially completed a move to Manchester City from Nottingham Forest despite heavy interest from United.
Mateus Fernandes was also a target for the Red Devils, but he has now completed a move to Tottenham after they paid £85m to secure his signature.
It’s back to the drawing board in terms of midfield reinforcements for the Red Devils as they look to replace both Casemiro, who has now left the club, and Manuel Ugarte, who could miss a large portion of the season due to injury.
Man Utd Set to Complete Signing of 6 ft 4 Player
He was in contract talks with his club but is now set to move to Old Trafford
Fulham Join Man Utd Race
According to a report from Guardian journalist Steinberg, Fulham have now entered the race to sign West Ham winger Crysencio Summerville, who is expected to move in the summer transfer window.
A host of clubs in the Premier League are keen on the Dutch international, including Manchester United.
Reports have claimed that Manchester United’s ‘top’ target for the winger position this summer is Summerville. The Guardian report, however, claims that a move to a team outside the elite could be the more realistic outcome, such as Fulham.
United have also opened talks to sign Summerville in a potential deal, but it will be interesting to see whether Fulham’s interest changes things.
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England World Cup Quiz
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Summerville Exit Feels Guaranteed
An exit for Summerville in the summer transfer window feels inevitable.
A host of West Ham’s squad will be searching for moves back to the Premier League after they were relegated to the Championship last season.
Summerville was one of the Hammers’ better players last term, while he’s also produced some strong performances at the World Cup.
With the likes of Fulham and Manchester United interested in the Dutch winger, it’s incredibly unlikely that West Ham are going to be able to keep hold of him.
The London club will have to sell players in order to balance the books as they are set to miss out on large sums of money following relegation.
Sports
8 Tunisia Players Fail Drug Tests As Mexican Food Contamination Suspected
A World Cup nation has been rocked after eight of their players failed doping tests, and the implications could affect England ahead of their Round of 16 tie against Mexico this weekend. The Three Lions already know they will be up against it when they travel to the co-hosts’ capital on Sunday night.
El Tri have won each of their four matches so far without conceding a single goal, becoming the first nation to achieve that incredible feat since Italy in 1990. They also boast a record that has seen them lose just twice across their previous 89 fixtures at the Azteca Stadium, while the altitude, heat and hostile atmosphere – the latter having the potential to keep Thomas Tuchel’s squad up at night – are also expected to play an influential role.
But there is one other factor they must be wary of after one nation was subject to suspected food contamination, resulting in a large portion of their squad failing drugs tests following their premature exit from the tournament.
World Cup Nation Rocked by Suspected Food Contamination in Mexico
Tunisia are already out of the World Cup after finishing bottom of Group F following heavy defeats to Sweden, Japan and the Netherlands. The African minnows also sacked head coach, Sabri Lamouchi, following the team’s 5-1 loss to the former in their opening World Cup game and replaced him with Herve Renard for their remaining two matches.
But that wasn’t the end of their troubles stateside this summer. Every player at the World Cup can be subjected to a random drugs test during the tournament and according to The Times, eight members of Tunisia’s squad had traces of the banned drug clenbuterol in their samples.
Clenbuterol, which is on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s banned list, is used to treat asthma but can also help an athlete build lean muscle mass and burn body fat. Despite the adverse findings, the eight Tunisian players have not been named or suspended as officials believe the presence of clenbuterol was due to contaminated meat.
Tunisia were based in Monterrey for the World Cup and in Mexico, farmers have a history of including clenbuterol in animal feed because it helps reduce fat and increase lean muscle mass.
What Happens if England Fail Doping Tests For The Same Reason
If England players take clenbuterol in Mexico, the consequences depend entirely on how the substance entered their system. But any traces would lead to a FIFA investigation, alongside one from an anti-doping authority.
If a player tests positive for trace amounts of clenbuterol, but it was ingested via tainted local beef or pork, it is classified as an “atypical finding” rather than a deliberate doping violation.
If corroborated by dietary journals and lack of other performance-enhancing drugs, no bans or suspensions are expected. The player avoids formal punishment, as seen in past cases with other international tournaments held in the country, like when 109 out of 208 players in the 2011 Under-17s World Cup also failed drug tests, according to the Metro.
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