Mexicans see double as Sven lookalike fools football club
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.An English Sven-Goran Eriksson lookalike duped one of Mexico's top football clubs into giving him red-carpet treatment, claiming he wanted to check out the squad before making his first selection for the Mexican national side.
Derek Williams, flanked by two glamour girls, was given a tour of Universidad Nacional's stadium before issuing a statement to journalists and posing for photographs. The 56-year-old actor, of Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, advertises himself on his website as a "Svenalike". He arranged his visit on Wednesday by sending the first division club fake documents purporting to be from the Mexican football federation. The real Eriksson was named as the new Mexico coach in June after being sacked by Manchester City.
Mexican officials have since warned all clubs to be on their guard should the imposter strike again. "The real Eriksson is in the US at the moment and the character who has been claiming to be him is just a ringer," the federation said in a statement, adding that Mr Williams had shown a "total lack of respect".
No one appeared to noticed that the visitor was not the real Eriksson until after he had left, the Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport reported.
The Universidad Nacional manager Ricardo Ferretti, who chatted to Mr Williams and showed him around the ground, said: "To be honest, I was quite amused. The fake Eriksson told me he was watching my players ahead of his next call-ups, and I believed him."
Mr Williams, who has performed regular engagements as the Swede, found himself in demand in 2004 when the then England manager's fling with an English Football Association secretary, Faria Alam, was exposed.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments