The Mexican national football team competing in the World Cup was forced to return luxury watches gifted by popular content creator "Stevewilldoit" because it violated FIFA rules.
Foreign news agencies reported that "Stevewilldoit," a well-known American YouTuber whose real name is Stephen DeLeonardis, spent 1 million US dollars (about 33.5 million baht) to buy luxury "Rolex" watches to give to every player and coaching staff member of Mexico's World Cup squad.
DeLeonardis presented the watches to the team last Monday, the day before Mexico defeated Ecuador in the round of 32.
However, FIFA's Code of Ethics imposes strict limits on giving and receiving gifts. Article 21 states that gifts of this nature may only be given or accepted if "they are of symbolic or nominal value only."
A statement posted on the official X account of the Mexican national team said the players decided to return all the watches "with mutual consent" and clarified that Stevewilldoit gave the gifts "on his own initiative."
Currently, the Mexican national team aims to reach the quarterfinals for the first time since hosting the World Cup in 1986. They are scheduled to play England at Azteca Stadium in Mexico City on Sunday evening local time.
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Source:bbc