Keir Starmer intervened to oppose Fifa’s plan to move England kick-off time | Keir Starmer
It is understood that Keir Starmer intervened through diplomatic channels in FIFA’s plan to bring forward England’s World Cup match against Mexico due to concerns that this change would give the home team an unfair advantage.
The Prime Minister instructed them to oppose a bid to move kick-off earlier than 1am UK time (6pm local time) after the Football Association warned that it would shorten England’s acclimatization time to the high altitude in Mexico City.
Interference reported for the first time SunThe development came before England’s dramatic 3-2 win over World Cup hosts Mexico at the Azteca Stadium on Monday morning, which guaranteed them a place in the quarter-finals against Norway.
The Mexico match was originally scheduled to kick off at 1am UK time but was postponed by an hour after the stadium activated storm protocol due to lightning danger.
Asked about England’s intervention at a Downing Street reception on Monday, Starmer told attendees: “We had to fight the FA to get back to where it was, which was counterintuitive.”
England overcame a hostile atmosphere, the challenges of playing at altitude and Jarell Quansah’s second-half red card to advance to the last eight in a thrilling contest.
The latest intervention means Starmer has been directly involved in England’s World Cup campaign for the second time in a week. Last week the government passed emergency legislation allowing pubs in England and Wales to stay open later than usual for the knockout match, allowing fans to watch the match without venues having to close full-time.
Announcing the temporary license change, Starmer said: “Football can come home but we’re making sure fans don’t have to.”
The Conservatives sought to capitalize on reports of interference during the kick-off, with a Conservative Party source saying: “Where has this Keir Starmer been all this time?”
England’s victory also gave the hospitality industry a significant boost overnight. According to figures from Heineken UK, drinks sales at managed bars are up 67% compared to the same period last year, while food sales are up 81%. Lager sales increased by 76% and cider sales increased by 127%.
The busiest trading period occurred during the delayed opening at 2 a.m., with total sales up 4,782% year-on-year. Heineken estimated that around two-thirds of the 2,400 pubs it manages remained open for this fixture.
Separate figures from MRI Software suggested the wider night-time economy was also benefiting, with foot traffic on the UK’s high streets between midnight and 6am being almost 150% higher than the same period the previous year.
Downing Street and the Football Association have not commented publicly on the reported diplomatic intervention.
