Less than a week before it plays its first game at the Copa America, Mexico kicked eight players off its team for breaking team rules. They involved having female guests in their rooms after a 1-0 win over Ecuador in a friendly game on Saturday in Quito.

The players from Mexico's under-23 team are: Israel Jimenez, Nestor Vidrio, Jonathan Dos Santos, Marco Fabian, Jorge Hernandez, Javier Cortes, David Cabrera and Nestor Calderon.

“The players confessed,”  said Hector Gonzalez Inarritu, director of national teams selection. “They are very hurt, very sorry and they have said they are sorry to their fans. … They are assuming the consequences.”

Last fall two senior national team players -- Carlos Vela and Efrain Juarez -- were suspended for six months and 11 others fined following a party after a friendly against Colombia in Monterrey.