US accused of treating World Cup teams like ‘criminals’

The United States has been slammed for reportedly subjecting members of Senegal and Uzbekistan’s football teams to ‘humiliating’ security checks ahead of the World Cup.

The teams were forced to undergo detailed security screenings after they arrived in San Antonio,Texas,and New York in preparation for the event,it has been claimed.

Senegalese players underwent intense bag inspections at the airport,while Uzbek players faced sniffer dogs and metal detectors upon arrival at their training venue after passing security checks at the airport.

Footage showed security officials testing players’ shoes and scanning them on the tarmac.

One X account said of the security screenings Senegal’s team was subjected to: ‘This is straight up humiliation and a disgrace. They’d never put white boys through the same.’

The Senegal team faced intense security measures (Picture: X)

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Start your day informed with Metro's News Updates newsletter or get Breaking News alerts the moment it happens.Increased security measures and visa restrictions have been an early talking point at this year’s World Cup in the United States.One Somali referee who was chosen to officiate the World Cup was denied entry to the US after arriving at Miami International Airport.Omar Artan was turned away because of ‘vetting concerns’.More than a quarter of the countries taking part in the World Cup are affected by travel bans to the country and have higher visa rejection rates.Because of visa issues and ongoing geopolitical tensions,members of Iran’s football team were forced to land in Mexico.All three of Iran’s group games are in the United States,but,bizarrely,players and staff will have to fly in and out of the country on the day of each match.The Iranian team was forced to land in Mexico (Picture: AP)Iran said 15 officials and other staff were denied visas flat out,which they have branded political interference.A US administration official said: ‘We will not allow the Iranian team to abuse this system to sneak terrorists into the United States under false pretences.’Fans are also facing major hurdles getting into the country. Julien Kouadio Adonis,a member of the Ivory Coast’s fan association,described the bans as a form of segregation.‘No European country has faced this kind of restriction,’ he told the BBC. ‘Why Africa?’Mr Adonis said football is a game that needs spectators,and said a country which doesn’t want to welcome all supporters shouldn’t be allowed to host the tournament.Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at .For more stories like this,check our news page.