The Athletic reported that the Mexican national team has returned a batch of Rolex watches gifted by American influencer Steve Will Do It. Deleonardis explained that he had bet $2 million on Mexico defeating Ecuador, a bet that was expected to yield $1 million in profit.
These gifts were given by influencer Stephen Deleonardis. During the team's preparations for their round of 32 match against Ecuador, they were given to each Mexican player at the training base. In a video posted on his channel, he stated that the watches were worth a total of $1 million, with individual watches ranging from $30,000 to $90,000.
The Mexican national team issued a statement on its official social media platform, saying that after mutual agreement, the entire team decided to return the watches actively gifted by the influencer.
When midfielder Obed Vargas asked why he was giving such expensive gifts, Deleonardis explained that he lives in Mexico and had bet $2 million on Mexico defeating Ecuador. He had previously stated in a video that this bet was expected to yield a $1 million profit, exactly equivalent to the total value of the watches. Ultimately, Mexico won the match 2-0.
Article 21 of the FIFA Code of Ethics clearly stipulates restrictions on giving and receiving gifts: FIFA regulations prohibit the acceptance of any gifts other than those of "symbolic, minimal value."
FIFA also added that if the purpose of giving or receiving gifts is to coerce or induce those bound by the regulations to commit violations, or to create conflicts of interest, such gifts are also strictly prohibited.
Violation of this regulation will result in a fine of at least 10,000 Swiss Francs (equivalent to $12,500) and a ban from all football-related activities for up to two years.
Co-hosts Mexico, who have won all four matches with no goals conceded in this FIFA World Cup, will face England at the Estadio Azteca.
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