2010 World Cup winner Joan Capdevila has been stopped from entering the US to watch Spain’s final with Argentina.
The Villarreal legend and left-back revealed his ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) had been denied, but his children had been allowed entry.
He wrote on social media: “I NEED HELP @realDonaldTrump!
“They just told me that I can’t travel to the final with my kids because my ESTA has been denied.
“Can anyone help me with this? You have no idea how excited I was to be there with all my 2010 teammates and this team to cheer them on.
“I can’t believe they’re not letting me into the USA… and that I’ll miss a moment like this with my kids who love soccer so much…
“If anyone knows how to fix this, I’ll be grateful to you for life.”
Capdevila also won Euro 2008 with Spain and is considered one of the most legendary defenders the country has produced.
A World Cup of US entery denials
The details of his denied entry are yet to be revealed, but it marks a World Cup of border control issues.
Most infamously, Somalian referee Omar Artan was stopped from entering at the start of the tournament despite his profile as the best official in Africa.
Former FIFA president Sepp Blatter hit out at his successor Gianni Infantino over the issue.
“It’s unbelievable and absurd,” he said.
“When a country is awarded the hosting of a World Cup, there are two sacred and fundamental principles.
“The first is security , which the country must guarantee for the event. The second is granting entry visas to all FIFA officials. And there’s nothing more official than a referee.
“If a country refuses entry to a referee, it’s a serious problem, and the World Cup shouldn’t be held in such a country.
“The blame lies primarily with FIFA: it abandoned this principle, which the country (the United States) failed to respect. We can’t stop the tournament, but it’s outrageous.”
Blatter then turned on his successor as FIFA president, Gianni Infantino.
“The current president should show that he’s stronger than his good friend in the White House, shouldn’t he?” he said.
“When you start letting politics control you, it’s bad. And the other federations should protest too…”
Asked if he’ll still be watching the tournament, he finished: “Yes, football is my life and I can’t give it up.
“I’m not always happy with what’s happening, but I no longer have the power to change anything.
“I don’t have all my mobility anymore, but the remnants of my mind are still there.
“I’m doing well, I’m a happy man. At lunchtime, I go out with a friend to get out a bit. At home, I also have an exercise bike; I’m capable of climbing the Tourmalet if necessary!”
Capdevila marks one last issue before the tournament comes to an end in New York.
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