Anti-World Cup demonstrations hit host city days before tournament starts

Anti-World Cup demonstrations have hit Mexico City just days before the tournament gets underway.

Demonstrators from Mexico's CNTE teachers' union have torn down giant football sculptures in the capital to voice their anger at the competition.

The plastic figures, standing at five metres tall and installed along the tree-lined Paseo de la Reforma avenue to mark the tournament, were dragged to the ground using ropes before being defaced with spray paint.

Statues representing Belgium, France and Spain were all brought down by the dissident union members, though protesters deliberately spared the mannequin dressed in Mexico's national kit.

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Officers present at the scene did not step in to halt the destruction.

The CNTE is pushing for a doubling of wages and has voiced strong opposition to proposed changes to pension arrangements.

Union leaders have turned down a nine per cent pay rise that the Government had negotiated with the organisation's official representatives.

The teachers' union has warned it will stage large-scale demonstrations in the lead-up to the World Cup, which Mexico is hosting alongside the United States and Canada.

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The tournament is set to kick off on June 11 when the host nation faces South Africa in the opening fixture.

Graffiti slogans were daubed across the bare mannequins, with messages including "Long live the CNTE" and "If there isn't a solution, the ball won't roll".

Additional protests are anticipated in the coming days before the tournament begins, with demonstrations expected from various groups, including relatives of cartel violence victims.

Security forces used tear gas and sound grenades to break up a separate CNTE march on Monday near the Zocalo plaza, the designated location for the World Cup's official fan zone.

By Tuesday, police had erected metal barriers to seal off the square.

Despite the dramatic scenes, President Claudia Sheinbaum described the statue protest as peaceful, with her Government issuing a statement urging both sides to return to negotiations.

The Foreign Office has issued a warning to Britons travelling to Mexico City International Airport about the protests.

It said: "On June 3, there are expected to be protests from a local teachers' union, which could affect access to the airport.

"The airport authorities have issued a public notice, advising people of possible disruption and to allow more time for journeys to and from the airport.

"You should monitor local media and stay in touch with your airline or travel agent."

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