Two England supporters, who had previously attended the World Cup in Mexico City, shared their harrowing encounter at an official FanFest. Jo Lewis and Gary Taylor cautioned fellow Three Lions fans about being vigilant for England’s round of 16 match. Jo expressed her fear for her safety, while Gary, a seasoned attendee of Spurs and England matches, described Mexico City as the most distressing experience he had ever encountered.
The duo recounted the tragic incident where three individuals from Mexico suffocated and perished during exuberant celebrations following a victory over Ecuador. Over a million fans flooded the streets of the capital, resulting in chaotic overcrowding. Jo and Gary witnessed the disorganized scenes at the Fanfest and urged all England fans making their way to Mexico to take note of the challenges.
They highlighted the inadequacies in policing, security, and event coordination compared to the United States. Jo, 44, detailed the distressing moments of being caught in a crowd surge, emphasizing the lack of concern for individuals’ safety. Gary, 64, echoed the chaotic nature of the event, emphasizing the overwhelming crowd squeezing into limited entry points.
The couple, committed to attending every England game, have secured tickets for a potential final in New York on July 19. They will be among an estimated 5,000 Three Lions supporters in Mexico, anticipating a passionate and frenzied match atmosphere. The game is scheduled to commence at 1 am UK time on Monday morning, corresponding to 6 pm local time.
England is set to arrive two days before the match, with prior incidents of Mexico fans disrupting opponents’ rest by setting off fireworks outside their accommodations.
