The Mexico vs. Portugal threatened by anti-World Cup groups at Azteca Stadium
The Mexico vs. Portugal match could suffer setbacks due to anti-World Cup groups and neighborhood associations blocking the Azteca Stadium
The match between Mexico and Portugal this Saturday, starting at 7:00 PM, risks severe disruptions if anti-World Cup groups and neighborhood associations around the Azteca Stadium carry out their threats to block roads.
According to several posts that have gone viral on social media and have been documented by various news outlets throughout Friday, these groups are reportedly ready to block Calzada de Tlalpan and surrounding areas, which could even affect the arrival of the teams participating in the reopening of the Azteca Stadium.
Groups such as the "Tlalpan Coyoacan" Neighborhood Assembly Against Megaconstruction issued a call on social media a few weeks ago to gather under the Calzada de Tlalpan overpass, a main access route from north to south from the city center.
From Mexico City to the Azteca Stadium, the closest to this property located in the Santa Ursula area, to stage a blockade due to the indiscriminate use of natural resources such as water and the urban impact generated by this project during the 22 months of its renovation. There is also discontent among the street vendors who sold their wares in the courtyard of the Huipulco area on Calzada de Tlalpan near the Azteca Stadium and who were relocated to a nearby avenue. This has caused annoyance to the residents of that area and to the vendors themselves, without any consensus or prior notice from the Mexico City government headed by Clara Brugada. For several months now, these groups, which include residents near the Azteca Stadium, have been protesting the construction, the urban impact of the World Cup preparations, water scarcity, increased rents in the area, property disposal, and the touristification and gentrification generated by this project. colossal, but above all because the event will not leave any financial benefit for the residents and merchants of the area, only for the organizers. It should be noted that residents of the area will have to show their INE (National Electoral Institute) voter ID card to reach their homes, as well as their vehicle registration documents.This has generated considerable annoyance because, throughout the construction period, personnel from the private company carrying out the work and Mexico City government personnel did not hesitate to obstruct the free movement of people living nearby. Furthermore, the self-proclaimed 'Anti-World Cup Assembly' called for a "total boycott of the World Cup" and recalled that it has already protested in previous months without the authorities being able to prevent it, and that this Saturday could lead to clashes with law enforcement. A massive protest is also being organized on the Periferico Sur ring road towards Azteca Stadium to disrupt access for fans to the international match between Mexico and Portugal, which will undoubtedly be documented by the national and international press, provided it takes place and has the attendance and impact expected by its organizers. organizers.

