Gary Neville makes feelings clear on Fifa changing time for England and Mexico game

Gary Neville has warned FIFA against making a late change to the kick-off time for England's World Cup showdown with Mexico, insisting it would hand Thomas Tuchel's side a significant disadvantage.

Reports emerged on Friday suggesting officials had considered bringing forward Monday's last-16 clash at the Azteca Stadium because of concerns over severe weather in Mexico City.

Heavy rain and the threat of storms have already caused disruption elsewhere during the tournament, with Mexico's previous knockout victory over Ecuador delayed due to adverse conditions.

Although FIFA ultimately opted to keep the original kick-off time, speculation over a possible schedule change remains ongoing.

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FIFA chiefs are meeting today to discuss the situation, with a possibility the showdown could yet be brought forward.

Neville, however, believes altering the start time just days before one of the biggest matches of the tournament would be unprecedented.

"I would find it disruptive. Conditions are huge for England in a tournament. Playing at 12pm versus 6pm is very different. For our players, it is worse," he told Sky Sports.

"There is a sporting integrity issue here, too. I have never seen a League Two game moved or a Sunday League game moved. It feels strange."

Neville also pointed out that unpredictable weather is nothing new for the famous stadium, arguing teams should expect to deal with such conditions rather than seeing fixtures rescheduled at short notice.

He continued: "This is a stadium that has had these types of conditions before. We know there will be disruptions in games.

"To move a game two days out, I have never seen that at any level of football ever."

England have already faced a challenging route through the tournament, progressing to the knockout stages after a dramatic 2-1 victory over DR Congo thanks to Harry Kane's late double.

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Tuchel's side have also had to contend with injuries to key defenders, while preparing to face a Mexico team that will enjoy home support and greater familiarity with the high-altitude conditions in the capital.

Neville believes changing the kick-off time would only have added another obstacle for England to overcome.

Drawing on his own World Cup experience as part of Roy Hodgson's coaching staff in Brazil in 2014, the Sky Sports pundit stressed how carefully every aspect of tournament preparation is planned.

"In 2014, I was part of the coaching staff in Brazil. You prepare everything in relation to the conditions and when you fly in. It will be disruptive; they will not like this," he said.

"If FIFA do this, it is a disadvantage to England's players and their preparation."

The prospect of a revised kick-off also angered Mexico boss Javier Aguirre, who said he had not been consulted before reports of a possible change emerged.

FIFA has since confirmed the original schedule will remain in place, meaning England and Mexico will meet at the Azteca Stadium at 8pm local time (1am BST).

Whether that stays the case, with thunderstorms widely expected, remains to be seen.

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