Palestinian FA chief Jibril Rajoub denied US visa for World Cup matches | OneFootball

Associated Press reports that Palestinian federation president Jibril Rajoub has not been granted a US visa to attend World Cup matches, leaving him in Mexico City after Thursday’s opener between Mexico and South Africa, which finished 2-0.

The official is accredited for the tournament like other federation leaders but remains unable to travel on to the United States.

Rajoub told the agency he felt it was unfair to misuse the process and deny football people around the world the right to attend.

Last year FIFA president Gianni Infantino said everyone would be welcome in Canada, Mexico and the United States for this year’s World Cup, adding that work was under way to achieve that.

On Wednesday, after Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan was refused entry on arrival in the US, Infantino said FIFA is a sporting body that cannot dictate to governments or police and said the organisation is trying to resolve visa issues.

In September last year, the Palestinian Authority president was also denied a visa by Washington ahead of the UN General Assembly.

Source: L'Équipe