Mexico World Cup captain Rafael Marquez has been named as the leader of 13 players who have reportedly asked not to be selected for the national side until there is a change in attitude at the Mexican Football Federation.
Mexican newspaper Record released a letter on Tuesday attributed to Marquez and supposedly supported by 12 other players criticizing national team director Nestor De La Torre and the decision to make public a party held after a friendly with Colombia this month which resulted in suspensions and fines for the players.
The FMF press office told The Associated Press it could neither confirm nor deny the authenticity of the letter.
Members of the Mexican national team organized a post-match party in a hotel in the northern city of Monterrey after the friendly with Colombia on Sept. 7.
The Mexican media initially reported that the party had lasted until the early morning and included family, friends and wives.
Days later, De La Torre revealed there had been breaches of discipline and announced fines for 11 of the players and six-month suspensions for Arsenal striker Carlos Vela and defender Efrain Juarez, of Scottish club Celtic.
In the letter released by Record, New York Red Bulls defender Marquez and the other players were reported to say they were given a document informing them that after the post-match dinner, "we were free with the only recommendation being not to leave the hotel for security reasons."
The players allegedly added that, "every single one of us who have signed this document ask ... not to be called up for matches with the national side until the conduct and procedure inside the squad are more coherent with the ideas and conduct of the directors".
The letter was directed to FMF president Justino Compean and general secretary Decio De Maria.
A few days after the players' punishment was announced, Marquez stated publicly that the measures made him laugh and were an attempt by the directors of the FMF to make headlines.
