Supporters of the Ivory Coast national football team have been denied visas to the United States ahead of the World Cup, according to the head of the country’s official supporters’ organisation.
Julien Kouadio Adonis, president of the National Committee of Elephants Supporters (CNSE), said the group’s planned trip to support the team had been cancelled after visa applications were rejected.
“The supporters have cancelled the trip because the US government does not want to see supporters from certain countries, including Ivory Coast, on its soil,” Kouadio said.
“This situation hurts us deeply because it prevents us from fulfilling our sacred duty, which is to support our team.”
The development adds to concerns over visa and entry issues ahead of the World Cup, which begins on Thursday in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Recent reports have indicated that some tournament participants and officials have also faced travel difficulties, including Somali referee Omar Artan and members of Iran’s support staff.
Ivory Coast are scheduled to play two of their three group-stage matches in Philadelphia, facing Ecuador national football team on June 15 and Curacao national football team on June 25. Their other group match is against Germany national football team in Toronto.
Kouadio had earlier expressed hope that about 500 supporters would travel to the tournament. However, he said only a small number of CNSE officials had been cleared to attend and assist Ivorian fans already resident in the United States.
The supporters’ group estimates that more than 1,000 Ivory Coast fans based in North America are expected to attend the team’s matches.
