Other Team Complaints Reported During U.S. World Cup
The Egypt altercation is just the latest in a handful of incidents raising concern about how visiting teams, officials and supporters are being treated during the World Cup in the U.S. after reports of immigration issues and complaints about excess security measures. Iraqi striker Aymen Hussein was reportedly subject to roughly seven hours of questioning after arriving at Chicago’s airport before eventually being admitted to the country, and the team from Senegal was subjected to unusually lengthy security checks on the airport tarmac after arriving in the U.S., though the country’s soccer federation later said the checks were prearranged. Uruguay’s squad was reportedly searched by police dogs before one of its matches and photos of Belgium captain Kevin De Bruyne and his teammates being searched during the immigration process went viral last month. Referee Omar Artan was denied entry to the United States because his home country, Somalia, is subject to a Trump administration travel ban and other players—Woodensky Pierre of Haiti and Breel Embolo of Switzerland—also reported troubles with travel to the United States.
Read more Taylor Swift’s Wedding Is Today: Here’s Every Famous Guest Spotted So Far
TANGENT
Ahead of the tournament’s start, human rights groups said recent mass immigration enforcement efforts in the U.S. had created a “climate of fear” for fans of foreign teams. Daniel Noroña of the Sport & Rights Alliance said “attending a soccer match should never result in arbitrary detention or deportation,” adding, “The threat of excessive policing, including immigration enforcement, at World Cup venues are deeply troubling.” Federal immigration officials have been stationed at tournament venues but there have not been any confirmed reports of arrests at matches or inside stadiums.
Surprising Fact
Despite complaints of unfair treatment, the Iranian national team left a hand-written note thanking Los Angeles-area fans for their hospitality. “May peace, respect and friendship prevail among all nations,” the note read.
Read more Billionaire Peter Thiel Attacks Pope’s AI Stance, Says He’s ‘Working For Chinese Communists’
Key background
The group stages of the World Cup have concluded, and the single-elimination knockout matches are underway. The tournament is in the Round of 16 and will finish at MetLife Stadium on July 19, where President Donald Trump is set to jointly present the championship trophy to the winners with FIFA President Gianni Infantino. Despite an unexpectedly sharp performance from the U.S. team, and his love of attending sporting events, Trump hasn’t attended any World Cup matches in an unusual move from the head of a host country.
Read more 125 People Fell Ill In Another Cruise Ship Virus Outbreak, CDC Says