Mexico Returns $1 Million in Rolex Gifts After FIFA Ethics Rules Intervene

Mexico’s national team has returned a collection of luxury Rolex watches valued at roughly $1 million after FIFA’s ethics regulations barred players and staff from accepting gifts of such significant value.

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The watches had been presented by online personality Stevewilldoit, whose real name is Stephen Deleonardis, during a visit to the squad before Mexico’s World Cup knockout victory over Ecuador at the Estadio Azteca.

The timing added to the celebratory mood surrounding Javier Aguirre’s team. Mexico had won all four of its matches on home soil, defeating Ecuador 2-0 to book a place in the round of 16 against England. With supporters driving the atmosphere throughout the tournament, expectations have continued to grow that El Tri could produce one of the country’s most memorable World Cup runs.

Stevewilldoit, who built his online following through extreme challenge videos before becoming closely associated with the NELK Boys, met with the squad on the eve of the Ecuador match. During the visit, he distributed Rolex watches to players and members of the coaching staff, later saying in a YouTube video that the collection was worth approximately $1 million. Individual watches were reportedly valued between $30,000 and $90,000.

FIFA Rules Force a Change of Course

What initially appeared to be a generous reward quickly ran into FIFA’s ethics framework.

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Under Article 21 of FIFA’s Code of Ethics, individuals covered by the regulations may accept only gifts with symbolic or trivial value. The rules are intended to prevent gifts that could create conflicts of interest or be viewed as attempts to influence decisions or conduct.

Following discussions, the Mexican Football Federation confirmed that the gifts would not remain with the team. In a statement, the federation said the players had mutually agreed to return the watches to Stevewilldoit after he had offered them on his own initiative.

Although the watches were returned, Stevewilldoit’s support for Mexico extended beyond the gifts. According to the report, the content creator—who now lives in Mexico and has frequently expressed his admiration for the country—also placed a $2 million wager on Mexico to defeat Ecuador. The bet was reported to have generated a profit of around $1 million after El Tri secured the victory.

Mexico now shifts its attention to a far more significant prize: a place in the World Cup quarterfinals. A victory over England at the Estadio Azteca would cement this squad’s place among the most celebrated teams in the nation’s football history.

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Source: si.com