Secret location & sleep devices: England bid to combat noisy Mexico fans

Secret location & sleep devices: England bid to combat noisy Mexico fansImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, England set up a meeting with Mexico after beating DR Congo in the round of 32BySami MokbelSenior football correspondent in Mexico CityPublished2 minutes agoCommentsEngland are taking precautions ahead of their arrival in Mexico to ensure boisterous locals intent on ruining the players' rest and sleep do not disrupt their preparations.Thomas Tuchel's side face Mexico in their World Cup last-16 tie on Sunday (01:00 BST Monday) and are due to arrive in Mexico City on Friday, a move that sees a slight change in schedule for England, who generally land in the host city the evening before a game.World football governing body Fifa demands teams hold a part-open training session a day before the game, and it has been decided that England will train in Mexico instead of their base in Kansas City, which means they will spend Friday and Saturday in Mexico City.Ecuador lodged a complaint to Fifa after their squad were deliberately kept awake by noisy Mexico supporters, who used loudspeakers, horns and motorcycles outside the team hotel late at night.The Ecuador team stayed in the Westin Hotel in Mexico City, and while England want to keep their location undisclosed, there is a concern that the whereabouts will eventually be leaked on social media.With that in mind, England players and staff who have not brought their own sleeping devices, such as ear plugs or sleep bands, are to be offered natural sleep remedies or white noise audio machines to ensure sleep is not impacted.Among the other challenges England will face is playing the game against Mexico in high altitude.Mexico City has an average elevation of approximately 2,240 metres above sea level, meaning there is less oxygen available. This can impact the performance of some players, especially when they are not acclimatised to the conditions.To that end, Mexico have played all four of their World...