Trump journey ban leaves Senegal and Ivory Coast followers in limbo for World Cup

Fans of two of Africa’s prime soccer nations have had their World Cup plans upended due to a journey ban imposed by the Trump administration.

Senegal and Ivory Coast had been added in December to the record of nations with partial restrictions on entry to the United States, which is co-hosting the June 11-July 19 event with Canada and Mexico.

Fans cheering for the 2 West African groups on the ongoing Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco had been dismayed by the restrictions, which successfully bar those that don’t have already got visas from touring to the U.S. to observe the World Cup.

“I don’t know why the American president would want teams from certain countries not to take part. If that’s the case, they shouldn’t agree to host the World Cup,” Senegal supporter Djibril Gueye advised The Associated Press in Tangier, Morocco.

“It’s up to the United States to provide the conditions, the means, and the resources to allow the qualified countries so everyone can go and support their team,” Gueye stated.

President Donald Trump cited “ screening and vetting deficiencies ” as the primary motive for the suspensions. Fans from Iran and Haiti, two different international locations who’ve certified for the World Cup, shall be barred from coming into the United States as nicely; they had been included within the first iteration of the journey ban introduced by the Trump administration.

The restrictions embody an exception for gamers, group officers and rapid relations touring to the World Cup, however no allowance has been made for supporters.

“We really want to participate but we don’t know how,” stated Fatou Diedhiou, the president of a bunch of feminine Senegal followers. “Now we just wait because the World Cup isn’t here yet, maybe they’ll change their minds. We don’t know. We wait and see.”

Sheikh Sy supported Senegal on the final World Cup in Qatar and was decided to discover a technique to get to the U.S.

“We’ve traveled everywhere with our team because we are the national fans of Senegal,” he stated. “So, since Senegal has qualified for the World Cup, we absolutely have to go.”

Hoping for an answer

Senegal, which has reached the Africa Cup semifinals, performs its first World Cup recreation in MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on June 16 in opposition to France, 4 days earlier than dealing with Norway in the identical stadium. Its closing group stage match is in Toronto on June 26 in opposition to a playoff winner between Bolivia, Suriname and Iraq.

Ivory Coast additionally has two video games within the U.S., opening in opposition to Ecuador in Philadelphia on June 14 and ending the group there on June 25 in opposition to Curacao after dealing with Germany in Toronto.

Ivory Coast coach Emerse Faé was optimistic an answer could be discovered for supporters. He identified that Ivorian followers confronted an analogous hurdle attending to Morocco for the Africa Cup when a visa requirement was launched earlier than the event.

“In the end, everything went very smoothly, and they were able to come as long as they had tickets to see the matches. I think things will be sorted out by the time of the World Cup,” Faé advised The AP on the group resort in Marrakech.

“It’s a celebration, football is a celebration, and for me, it would be a real shame — especially since the World Cup only comes around every four years — it would be a real shame not to let our supporters come and experience this celebration,” Faé stated.

Limited help

Senegal and Ivory Coast face the prospect of enjoying solely with restricted help from followers who’re authorized U.S. residents, have already got visas or have twin nationality with international locations that aren’t affected by the journey ban.

Ivory Coast winger Yan Diomande stated there was little the gamers may do. It’s not their nation, and their focus is solely on what occurs on the sector.

“It’s OK for us, we can play without supporters,” Diomande advised The AP. “The most important thing is to win every game and fight for every game.”

Team captain Franck Kessie agreed, saying it was as much as politicians to discover a resolution.

“There’s also an events committee managed by the Ivorian Football Federation, so I think together with the government, we’ll put things in place to make it easier for our supporters,” Kessie stated.

Steep prices

The journey ban isn’t the one hurdle confronted by Ivory Coast and Senegal followers hoping to go to the World Cup.

One fan sporting a lion masks for Senegal stated he can journey to the U.S. as a result of he additionally has French citizenship, however he gained’t as “a matter of political conviction” and due to the excessive price of tickets.

“I have the impression it’s all about the business world. They completely ignored the grassroots aspect,” stated the fan, who gave his identify merely as Pape.

Ivorian supporter Tan Detopeu, talking in Casablanca, stated she feared the group can have little help within the U.S. as a result of few Ivorian supporters can afford the tickets.

“Even if there was no ban issue, I don’t think that many people would have gone to the World Cup either because it’s kind of expensive,” Detopeu stated.