MEXICO CITY — Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum issued a public safety plea Friday, asking fans to limit their alcohol consumption and stay away from densely packed public areas if the national soccer team defeats England on Sunday in the World Cup round of 16.
Her appeal follows a deadly celebration in Mexico City after the team’s 2-0 victory over Ecuador in the prior round, which left at least four people dead near the central Paseo de la Reforma boulevard, where roughly one million fans had gathered.
“We must avoid alcohol abuse, because whenever there is excessive drinking at these kinds of celebrations, problems can arise, including more violence linked to alcohol,” Sheinbaum said during her regular morning press conference.
The president also stressed that both fans and authorities share the responsibility of keeping celebrations safe, encouraging supporters to avoid areas where large crowds are expected to converge.
Authorities confirmed that three of the victims in the capital — a 44-year-old man and two women, ages 19 and 48 — died from suffocation after being crushed within the massive crowd.
