Keir Starmer intervened to oppose Fifa’s plan to move England kick-off time

Keir Starmer intervened through diplomatic channels to oppose Fifa’s plan to bring forward England’s World Cup game against Mexico, amid concerns the change would hand the hosts an unfair advantage, it is understood.The prime minister instructed officials to argue against proposals to move the kick-off from 1am UK time (6pm local time) to earlier after being alerted by the Football Association that it would reduce England’s time to acclimatise to the high altitude in Mexico City.The intervention, first reported by The Sun, came before England’s dramatic 3-2 victory over World Cup co-hosts Mexico at the Azteca Stadium on Monday morning, which secured a place in the quarter-finals against Norway.The Mexico match was originally scheduled to begin at 1am UK time but was delayed by an hour after the stadium activated its thunderstorm protocol because of the threat of lightning.Asked about Britain stepping in at a reception in Downing Street on Monday, Starmer told attendees: “We had to battle with the FA to get it back to where it was, which was counterintuitive.”England overcame a hostile atmosphere, the challenges of playing at altitude and a second-half red card for Jarell Quansah to edge a thrilling contest and progress to the last eight.The latest intervention marks the second time in a week that Starmer has become directly involved in England’s World Cup campaign. Last week, the government passed emergency legislation allowing pubs in England and Wales to remain open later than usual for the knockout fixture, enabling supporters to watch the match without venues being required to close before full-time.Announcing the temporary licensing change, Starmer said: “Football might be coming home but we’re making sure fans don’t have to.”The Conservatives sought to capitalise on reports of the intervention on kick-off time, with one Tory source saying: “Where’s this Keir Starmer been the whole time?”England’s victory also delivered a significant overnight boost to the hospitality industry. According to figures from Heineken UK, drinks sales across its managed pubs increased by 67% compared with the equivalent period last year, while food sales rose by 81%. Lager sales increased by 76% and cider sales were up 127%.The busiest trading period came around the delayed 2am kick-off, with total sales increasing by 4,782% year on year. Heineken estimated that about two-thirds of the 2,400 pubs it managed remained open for the fixture.Separate figures from MRI Software suggested the wider night-time economy also benefited, with footfall on UK high streets between midnight and 6am almost 150% higher than during the same period a year earlier.Downing Street and the Football Association have not publicly commented on the reported diplomatic intervention.