Ecuador have made a complaint to World Cup organisers over noisy local fans outside their team hotel before their last-32 match against co-hosts Mexico.
- Around 1,000 Mexico supporters staged a noisy serenade in Mexico City using pans and buckets, singing Cielito Lindo before police moved them back.
- The Ecuador federation called the conduct unsporting, saying it contradicts World Cup principles and vowed the team would respond on the pitch.
- The last-32 match is at Mexico City Stadium; Mexico unbeaten there, while Ecuador reached knockouts after an upset over Germany.
Local media reported that around 1,000 Mexico supporters staged a noisy ‘serenade’ – a musical performance given to honour or express love – in Mexico City on Monday.
The match is being played on Wednesday (02:00 BST) at Mexico City Stadium.
Noisemakers, pans and buckets were used to sign Mexican folk song “Cielito Lindo” before police moved them back.
“This conduct is far removed from the principles of fair play, equality and unity that a football World Cup should represent,” Ecuador’s football federation said in a statement.
The statement added that Ecuador would “always respond on the pitch.”
Mexico have won all three of their World Cup games at Mexico City Stadium, while Ecuador’s shock win over Germany secured them a spot in the knockout stages.
“We trust that these unsporting acts will not tarnish the football celebration that unites two brotherly countries,” the statement added.
England, who play DR Congo on Wednesday (17:00 BST), will play Mexico in Mexico City if both teams win their last-32 games.
Fifa have been contacted for comment.
