MADRID (AP) – Former Spain defender Joao Capdevila has asked U.S. President Donald Trump for help entering the United States to watch Sunday’s match between Spain and Argentina. world cup Finals after being denied permission to travel 10 years after playing in an exhibition game in Iran.
In 2010, Capdevila started the final against the Netherlands, helping Spain win their only Men’s World Cup title, and was a member of the 2008 European Championship winning team.
But he was concerned about missing Sunday’s final, and wrote to Trump in a post on X that he had applied for visa-free entry through the country’s electronic travel authorization system. Esta ) was rejected. Visitors from certain countries who wish to enter the United States without a visa apply via ESTA.
“‘I need help @realDonaldTrump!’ Capdevila was posted on X It added that his ESTA application was rejected on Friday night.
Capdevila also sent another message to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, tagging the Spanish government’s sports ministry in the post.
Capdevila, 48, wrote that he would like to attend the game in New Jersey “with all of my 2010 teammates” to support the current Spain national team.
Ten years ago, Capdevila was part of Spain’s La Liga Legends exhibition team. Played against Iran’s all-star team in Tehran.
The U.S. Department of State allows travelers from “visa-exempt” countries to enter the country via ESTA. program rules It specifies cases in which a traveler is not eligible for ESTA, one of which is if they traveled to Iran after March 1, 2011, in which case they “must obtain a visa before traveling to the United States.”
The Department of Homeland Security, which administers the Visa Waiver Program and ESTA, has been contacted for comment. ___
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