Javier Aguirre, the head coach of the Mexican national team, denied being 'duped' by FIFA's potential plan to change the kickoff time for his team's Round of 16 match against England in the World Cup.
Aguirre said that the decision to move the match time 6 hours was a 'stab in the back.'
FIFA was discussing changing the kickoff time to noon on Sunday due to the possibility of thunderstorms, before announcing its commitment to the scheduled time for the match.
When asked by Mexican reporters if he felt deceived, Aguirre replied: 'You were calling me a preacher, and now you say I was duped.'
The Mexican coach added: 'I don’t understand what you mean, I was informed that the match would be played at a different time, and I said that I was not happy with this change. A day before the match, it was inappropriate, and that’s all I said.'
He continued: 'I wasn’t trying to attract attention. Rest assured, these things will not go viral among the players; they are ready, strong, and ready to deliver a good match tomorrow. These things can happen and may pass without the players noticing.'
Aguirre is coaching the Mexico national team for the third time, having also led them in the World Cups of 2002 and 2006, and is set to leave his position at the end of the tournament currently being held in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
Aguirre has a special relationship with the famous 'Azteca' stadium, where he played with Mexico during the 1986 World Cup, but he believes that the match against England will be his best memory.
Aguirre confirmed: 'I have mixed feelings in my heart, there are many different memories for me, but the best has yet to come. Tomorrow will be a great day.'
He emphasized: 'There are many beautiful memories for me; my parents will not be present, but my granddaughters will be there. I will listen to the national anthem, and no memory is more important than another, but I am sure the best will be tomorrow.'
Aguirre pointed out: 'If I didn’t believe in our ability to win, I would tell you. I fully trust our playing style, and I think the team with the fewest mistakes will win the match.'
He revealed: 'The pressure is always the same. Whether here or in Mexico or the United States, pressure is always there, which is a good thing because it improves performance.'
The Mexican national team has won all four of its matches in the tournament so far, without conceding a goal, but its defense will face its biggest challenge yet when it faces Harry Kane, the captain of the English national team.
The Mexico coach hinted: 'Harry Kane is a world star. The goals he has scored for the team and Bayern Munich make him one of the best players in the world. He is tall, a skilled defender, and the team captain.'
Aguirre concluded his remarks by saying: 'We will definitely try to neutralize him with our defensive midfielders, and we will try to keep him uncomfortable so that he cannot build any attacks.'