Roberto Ruano, representative of the Mexican Association of Holders of Palcos and Plateas, warned this Monday that, given the restrictions to market their spaces and access to food and drinks inside the Azteca Stadiumdo not rule out promoting actions to boycott the opening of the World Cup on June 11.
“They are forcing us to accept the support that the CNTE is offering us. If there is no dialogue between now and Wednesday, on Thursday we will ask for support from other groups that are also protesting,” said Ruano.
The conflict revolves around some 15 thousand boxes and stalls. FIFA demands, as has been the case since 1998, full control of the seats in the stadiums hosting the World Cup.
However, in the case of the Azteca Stadium there is a particular precedent: during its construction in 1966, the company sold these spaces with rights of use for 99 years, allowing their owners to attend sporting events and shows without restrictions, including the 1970 and 1986 World Cups.
Given the limitations imposed for the next World Cup, Ruano assured that the owners consider resorting to the support of the National Coordinator of Education Workers (CNTE) and other social groups that have recently staged protests in the Mexican capital.
“I want to call on Emilio Azcárraga to sit down and talk. We are just a few days away from the World Cup and we have the support of different sectors if the blockade against us continues,” he warned.
Likewise, he denounced that the stadium authorities, together with representatives of the FIFA, FIFA Mexico and companies involved have refused to receive them.
Ruano indicated that today at 2:00 p.m. they will go to the owners of boxes and stalls to notify legal measures that, as he stated, allow them to bring food and drinks into the venue. “They don’t want to receive the notification, but we are going to leave it even under the door,” he concluded.