Last week, Ecuador fell victim to Mexico’s on-field and off-field exploits; comprehensively defeated on the pitch in the round of 32, but also disturbed in their sleep by fans playing loud music, revving vehicle engines, honking horns and setting off fireworks near the Ecuadorian team hotel.
Ecuador’s federation filed a complaint, arguing that this behaviour “falls far short of the principles of fair play, equity, and unity that a football World Cup should represent.”
Charlie Davies, the former United States forward, scored a goal at the stadium in 2009 and looked up to see “coins, bottles and batteries” being thrown at him.
Davies’ former USMNT team-mate Jozy Altidore has claimed a television was once thrown at the team bus and, on one occasion entering the stadium, he claims to have been struck by a “bag of pee.”
Since the stadium was adjusted, reducing the capacity, raising prices and adding suites, the atmosphere has become a little less intimidating. But it remains one of the most lionised amphitheatres in world soccer.
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