Mexico have confirmed their players returned a collection of Rolex watches gifted by content creator SteveWillDoIt, after the lavish presents breached FIFA's Code of Ethics. The incident comes as El Tri prepare to face England in the World Cup round of 16 at the Azteca Stadium.
Rolex Gifts Spark Controversy
Stephen Rocco Deleonardis, known as SteveWillDoIt, distributed the expensive timepieces following Mexico's 2-0 victory over Ecuador in the round of 32. Deleonardis had staked a $2 million wager on the win, netting him $1.2 million (£900,000). The gesture went viral on social media, but it violated Article 20 of the FIFA Code of Ethics, which strictly regulates gift acceptance by players, officials, and associated individuals.
As a result, Mexico's Football Association announced the watches were returned after players grew concerned about breaching regulations. In a statement on X, the national team said: "By mutual agreement, our players decided to return to the content creator the watches that he had gifted them on his own initiative."
Further Disruption for Mexico
The Rolex incident is another setback for Mexico, who have faced turbulence in the lead-up to the match. Reports emerged that FIFA planned to move the kick-off time forward by seven hours, a change that angered Mexico boss Javier Aguirre. Aguirre, who also received and returned a watch, criticized the lack of consultation, telling Radio Formula: "It's like a kick in the gut, it changes everything, the plan. It's not that it's completely ruined, but almost, because you have to swallow six hours of scheduled training."
He added: "Obviously, we will abide by what FIFA says. I don't like it at all, nor do my players. Of course, the food, the nap, the sleep, the physiotherapy, everything, everything, it seems trivial, but it isn't. Today, 60 people are working here so that these 26 friends can go out on Sunday and win the game, I mean, it's not a small thing, the truth is that the change is quite important and I'll tell you this, well, I can understand reasons and arguments, but they didn't consult me and yes, I'm quite angry."
Match Details
England and Mexico are scheduled to kick off at the Azteca Stadium at 1am BST (8pm local time), with the winner facing either Norway or Brazil in the quarter-finals. Despite the controversies, both teams are focused on the crucial last-16 encounter.
