Mexican protesters turn highway into football pitch

Protesters transformed a major Mexico City highway into a makeshift football pitch on Saturday, playing impromptu matches to denounce World Cup preparation which they said is overshadowing the capital's pressing needs.



The event unfolded on the white-painted asphalt of a busy ring road, with demonstrators wearing Mexico jerseys alongside club colours of Pumas, Chivas and Italian side Juventus, while an organiser provided match commentary over a loudspeaker.



The protest was intended to denounce what organizers termed the "World Cup of Dispossession" and to draw attention to shortages of housing, water, transport and electricity.



The event took place just hours before Mexico was due to play Portugal in a World Cup warm-up match, and saw authorities deploy over 4,000 emergency services personnel to ensure safety.



Protesters played a friendly match, or "cascarita", along the highway's central lane, causing a massive build-up of traffic which eased when protesters moved to the outside lane for a second match.