Sport for all? Not in the US.

Im surprised there havnt been more rejections, however all countries have been free to send teams, even Iran, so just one rejection is not a big deal it's their country their rules.

We have rules for visitors and migrants too and many rejections.

It is a bizarre decision. Why would a world class football referee with an international career choose to defect to a country where he would not be welcome, or able to pursue his career as an asylum seeker?

This World Cup is going to go down as one of the least inclusive in history, with low attendance numbers and a really bad taste hanging over the matches in the USA. It could have been so different.

David49

Im surprised there havnt been more rejections, however all countries have been free to send teams, even Iran, so just one rejection is not a big deal it's their country their rules.

We have rules for visitors and migrants too and many rejections.

I think you’re missing the point David49. If a team has no supporters able to attend their matches they are at a huge disadvantage.

He had an 11 hour interview . They decided to refuse him. They will have had reason.

Not sure why he's not been asked to do the Mexico or Canada games.

They have allowed the Iranian team in? Then call the Somalian referee a bad actor? Can't understand their logic.

The referees for each match are not selected far in advance REKA, they have to be able to cover matches in all three countries in the tournament.

Casdon

David49

Im surprised there havnt been more rejections, however all countries have been free to send teams, even Iran, so just one rejection is not a big deal it's their country their rules.

We have rules for visitors and migrants too and many rejections.

I think you’re missing the point David49. If a team has no supporters able to attend their matches they are at a huge disadvantage.

There will be supporters from many countries that have visits refused, just because you say you are a football supporter does not mean you get a visa to travel to the UK.

Visas to travel to the UK are very difficult to get which is why so many try to get here illegally, it's the same in the US and many others

Casdon

The referees for each match are not selected far in advance REKA, they have to be able to cover matches in all three countries in the tournament.

Ah, of course. That makes perfect sense, thanks.

At a competition like the World Cup there will a few supporter from each overseas team plus a lot of locals to fill the stadium. The locals cheer whichever team plays best especially if they are the underdogs, the US, Mexico and Canada are the only home teams, they have to play well to get the fans on their side, there is nothing worse for a home team than their own fans silent or leaving early.

David49

Im surprised there havnt been more rejections, however all countries have been free to send teams, even Iran, so just one rejection is not a big deal it's their country their rules.

We have rules for visitors and migrants too and many rejections.

Iran have to stay in Mexico and fly on the day to any matches they have at US stadiums.

He had a valid U.S. travel visa issued by the U.S. Embassy as part of the FIFA scheme.
Yes, the Trump administration has a travel ban (which targets 39 countries, including Somalia) BUT it includes exceptions for World Cup athletes, coaches, and vital staff.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection flagged him, detained him, and after hours of additional screening, declared him "inadmissible".

NOT acceptable! He had already been granted the visa.

I do think we know how football games work David49. Any side, particularly when playing away from home, benefits hugely from their own supporters cheering them on.
There will be less crowds that usual, and from the countries where supporters have been banned from travelling, their countrymen who live in the USA will be very wary of attending because of the risk of ICE being there waiting for them.

Strangely David49 when we lived in America the cheering of the underdog was not what we saw.

It seems to be like that here (maybe?) but in North America it seems everyone loved a winner!

NotSpaghetti

He had a valid U.S. travel visa issued by the U.S. Embassy as part of the FIFA scheme.
Yes, the Trump administration has a travel ban (which targets 39 countries, including Somalia) BUT it includes exceptions for World Cup athletes, coaches, and vital staff.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection flagged him, detained him, and after hours of additional screening, declared him "inadmissible".

NOT acceptable! He had already been granted the visa.

A lot of those with Visas not associated with World Cup have had travel stopped, Somalia isnt a particular focus with the US, this person had something in his profile that was not disclosed when the visa was granted.

Getting a visa from the UK to US is easy it's not from many other countries.

I find that very difficult to believe. He’s an international referee, he routinely travels all over the world, and goes through passport control.