ENGLAND’s hotel has been surrounded by an impenetrable ring of steel ahead of their World Cup clash with Mexico. The Three Lions take on the host nation in Mexico City at the daunting Estadio Azteca.
Thomas Tuchel‘s side are facing potential sabotage from the Mexican media ahead of the game.
Reports have suggested that local journalists will leak the location of the hotel for England ahead of the match.
This means they could be in for some loud nights with fans doing their best to disrupt them before kick-off.
Precautions are being taken to protect the players with plenty of security being deployed.
Unprecedented rings of steel were thrown around the Three Lions’ World Cup hotel as concerns grew that it would be besieged by thousands of raucous home supporters.
Road blocks were put in place, along with an inner cordon of row upon row of specialist cops in riot helmets and shields.
Hours before the team’s arrival, the police were seen practising drills and forming protective lines.
More officers took up positions encircling the five-star hotel in the sprawling city’s Santa Fe suburb.
Authorities seem determined to prevent a repeat of large-scale disorder around Ecuador’s team hotel last week before they lost 2-0 at the intimidating Aztec Stadium.
Ecuador filed an official complaint after being kept awake by huge crowds setting off fireworks, playing drums and chanting all night.
England are staying in a different hotel — which The Sun has agreed not to identify — but locals already appeared to know the location.
As well as cops from the Secretariat of Citizen Security, backed by gun-wielding officers in case of emergency, a famous all-female unit has been drafted in.
Known as the Athenas, named after the Greek goddess of wisdom, they are trained in how to calm down crazed fans.
One officer at the scene confirmed: “As you can see — we are ready. There will be no trouble.”
Thomas Tuchel’s men were due to arrive late last night after flying from their Kansas City base.
If night-time noise does errupt, FA officials have equipment including white noise machines which cancel out din, acoustic headbands which soothe with gentle tones and high-tech noise-cancelling ear buds.
Tuchel’s security team is also concerned about the threat of Mexican spies homing in on training sessions as England hone tactics for the side’s toughest challenge yet.
England must also adjust to playing at altitude for the first time during the soccer spectacular being in the US, Mexico and Canada.
The 87.500-capacity Azteca Stadium — where Diego Maradone scored his infamous hand of God goal against England in 1986 — is 7,220ft above sea level.
The thinner air can tire players and makes the ball move faster.
England chiefs played down potential problems. A spokesman insisted: “We’re working to our pre-planned schedule.”
Meanwhile, the UK Foreign Office warned England fans of the dangers of pickpocketing by gangs outside the stadium, and dangerous crowd crushes.
Four people died last week in a crush following huge street celebrations when Mexico beat Ecuador.
El Tri have won all four of their games at the World Cup and are yet to concede a single goal.
They have played three of their matches at the Azteca, including the last-16 victory over Ecuador.
The referee for Sunday’s game will be Iranian-Australian Alireza Faghani, 48.
A vocal opponent of the murderous Iran regime, he spoke up for demonstrators killed in their thousands in January before war erupted in the Middle East.
