World Cup star faces being kicked out of tournament as row escalates | Football | Sport
A World Cup star’s visa has expired after just one match, leaving the future of the player at the tournament shrouded in doubt. His participation in the tournament has been thrown into serious jeopardy after his visa reportedly expired following just a single appearance.
Iran winger Mehdi Torabi was allegedly issued a single-entry US visa rather than the multiple-entry visas granted to his team-mates. The issue came to light following Iran’s 2-2 draw with New Zealand in their opening World Cup fixture. The match took place on June 16 at the Los Angeles Stadium, with the 31-year-old remaining an unused substitute.
State news agency IRNA reported that Torabi’s visa expired after the national team’s trip to Los Angeles for the game.
The Iranian Football Federation is understood to be working urgently to obtain a new visa so the winger can continue travelling with the squad throughout the remainder of the tournament, but he may not be able to travel to the remainder of Iran’s group-stage matches.
However, the agency stated that all members of the Iranian delegation were aboard the flight from the US to Mexico following the match.
Neither US authorities nor tournament organisers offered any immediate comment on the matter.
The latest development comes amid a string of reported visa difficulties affecting Iran’s delegation during a period of heightened tensions between the US and Iran.
Iran has established its base in Mexico owing to security concerns, travelling in and out of the United States for its group-stage fixtures.
Iranian officials have previously stated that approximately 15 members of the delegation were refused US visas.
IRNA also disclosed that Iran captain Mehdi Taremi and a member of the coaching staff experienced problems at Los Angeles airport after the draw with New Zealand.
Iran are due to meet Belgium in their second Group G fixture on Sunday in Los Angeles.
They are then set to face Egypt in Seattle on June 26.
