Sports

Did Mexico Cartel Threaten Ecuador Soccer Players To Lose At The World Cup?

by Last Updated
Ecuador World Cup Mexico Cartel Threat Families Lose Eduardo Feinmann
Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Mexico defeated Ecuador by a score of 2-0 in the knockout round of the World Cup. Did the cartel play a role in the outcome?

It does not seem likely.

However, a prominent Argentine journalist, columnist, and lawyer continues to claim that threats were made against the soccer players’ families. His claims have since been refuted by other reporters who are likely closer to the source.

Mexico defeated Ecuador at the World Cup.

Mexico finished atop the standings for Group A with three wins over South Africa, South Korea and Czechia to advance to the knockout round of the World Cup. Ecuador finished third in Group E with one win over Germany, one draw against Curacao and a loss to the Ivory Coast.

A third-place team would not typically advance to the knockout stages in the past. This is the first year of the expanded bracket where 32 teams get in. That set up a Round of 32 match between the two countries on Wednesday.

Although Ecuador held 57% possession with 110 more passes, Mexico out-shot its opponent 15-8 and won the match 2-0. Julian Quinones scored in the 22nd minute. Raul Jimenez scored in the 31st minute. Its opponent never got on the board.

As a result of the shutout victory, Mexico will advance to the Round of 16. It will play against England at the infamously rowdy Estadio Azteca in Mexico City on Sunday. Ecuador had its tournament come to an end with the loss.

Did cartel threats play a role in the result?

A rumor about the World Cup soccer match has spread like wildfire on the internet over the last ~48 hours. Eduardo Feinmann, a polarizing Argentine journalist and political analyst, has been the most prominent voice leading the conversation.

“A narco cartel communicated with them using specific data about their family members,” he said.

His following on social media exceeds three million across all platforms.

Fienmann claims that a Mexican cartel levied a threat against Ecuador’s national team and their families. The cartel wants Mexico to become the World Cup champion at all costs. It made sure that the Ecuadorians were going to lose.

His report does not appear to be accurate. It might even be made up. Oscar Portilla is a well-known sports journalist based out of Quito, Ecuador. He made abundantly clear that “there was no threat of any kind against Ecuadorian players.”

Here is his full report on the reality of the situation:

They just lost. They were not forced to lose at risk of harm to their families or to themselves by the cartel.

I don’t know where Feinmann got his information. However, I tend to believe the Ecuadorian media over the Argentinian media.

Grayson Weir BroBible editor avatar
Senior Editor at BroBible covering all five major sports and every niche sport imaginable, found primarily in the college space. I don't drink coffee, I wake up jacked.
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