Palestinian Football Chief Says US Denied Him Visa for World Cup Events

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Mexico City: The president of the Palestinian Football Association said he was denied entry visas to the United States and Canada, preventing him from attending World Cup events being held in the two countries.

Jibril Rajoub said he had applied for a U.S. visa in Jordan but was unsuccessful. He added that Canada had also refused his visa application. Rajoub was, however, able to travel to Mexico, where he attended the World Cup opening ceremony and planned to watch Tunisia's match against Sweden before returning to the Palestinian territories.

Rajoub claimed that political factors may have influenced the decisions, although he provided no evidence to support the allegation. He has been a vocal critic of Israel's role in football governance and has challenged FIFA's refusal to sanction Israel over clubs based in Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.

The visa issue comes amid broader concerns over travel restrictions linked to U.S. immigration policies. Several individuals connected to the World Cup, including members of Iran's support staff, Somali referee Omar Artan and some supporters from Senegal and Ivory Coast, have reportedly faced difficulties obtaining entry into the United States.

The developments have added a political dimension to the tournament, highlighting how international sporting events can be affected by wider diplomatic and immigration disputes.

Pic Credit: AFP