FIFA have reportedly U-turned on their plans to bring forward England’s World Cup Round of 16 clash with Mexico. It was initially suggested that the Three Lions’ encounter with the co-hosts would kick-off at 7pm UK time, as opposed to 1am, due to the threat of adverse weather and thunderstorms.

According to local media in Mexico, the kick-off time will remain at 1am, 6pm local time, due to criticism following the initial reports. Three Lions bosses were understood to have been left stunned after they were left in the dark over the decision. England chiefs felt that preparations had been hampered and there was genuine concerns over travelling fans making their way to Mexico City, under the assumption that the knockout tie was kicking off at 6pm local time. Thomas Tuchel’s side began making their way to Mexico on Friday with a place in the quarter-finals at stake.

FIFA hatched a plan to stage the game six hours earlier due to the threat of thunderstorms and flooding in the Mexican capital. However, neither the Football Association (FA) or the Mexican Football Federation had been consulted or received confirmation of the change.

The story broke in Mexican media with the FA left in the dark. Discussions with FIFA were held, and it is now being reported that the governing body has reneged on their initial plans.

With thunderstorms forecast in North America, the threat of suspension is elevated but FIFA are not in control of the regulations. The protocols surrounding electrical storms are based upon recommendations from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

And according to their guidelines, matches must be halted and suspended if there is a discharge detected within an eight-mile radius of the stadium.

Former England defender and coach Gary Neville raised suspicions over the decision to bring the match forward as he questioned sporting integrity over the Three Lions’ disadvantage.

He said: “I would find it disruptive yeah, conditions are huge for England at a tournament we know that. We talk about heat a lot, playing at 12 in Mexico vs playing at six in the evening is very, very different.

“So for the players, for our players, its worse, let’s be really clear. Its a sporting disadvantage to England. There is a sporting integirty issue here as well because I’ve never seen a League Two game moved, I’ve never seen a Sunday League game moved. FIFA are sort of willy nilly making it up and moving a game. It just feels a bit strange, you can put fan safety at the heart of it, but this stadium that has these conditions and would have a procedure to deal with that. To move a game two days out – I’ve never seen that at any level, ever.”