00:08Was there another factor that played a part in Ecuador's 2-0 defeat to Mexico in the
00:12rung of 32? According to Ecuadorian journalist Carlos Vera, the Mexican drug cartel played a
00:18role in Ecuador's performance. The journalist claimed some Ecuadorian players were intimidated
00:22through threats to their families ahead of the Mexico match. Vera's claim was supported by
00:28another journalist Eduardo Feynman of Argentina who added that the threats were made directly
00:33to Ecuadorian footballers who play in the Mexican league. England will be Mexico's next opponent at
00:38the Azteca fortress in the round of 16 on Sunday and England's manager Thomas Tuchel isn't taking
00:43any chances when it comes to his team's location in Mexico City. That's after Mexican fans honked
00:49horns, used fireworks and loudspeakers outside Ecuador's hotel in the early hours of the morning.
00:54Tuchel is keeping England's itinerary hidden while players will have sleeping devices to help combat
00:59the noise. While England are worried about keeping their whereabouts unknown, back in the UK they are
01:05preoccupied with pubs being open late for their knockout match against host Mexico. Prime Minister
01:10Keir Stammer was a supporter of the call to have pubs open late for the match on Monday and his
01:15efforts
01:16proved fruitful as pubs will indeed be open until 5 a.m. allowing fans in the UK to be in
01:21the right
01:21spirit for the elimination match. Meanwhile England's biggest rival Germany are aiming big on their next
01:27manager. The German Football Association is hoping to open talks with Jürgen Klopp to replace Julian
01:32Nagelsmann. Nagelsmann was fired yesterday after indicating he would not step down following
01:37Germany's knockout round defeat to Paraguay. The 59-year-old Klopp stepped away from active
01:42coaching two years ago after a successful nine years with Premier League club Liverpool.
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