Former Manchester United striker Dwight Yorke was "made to feel like a
criminal" as he was denied entry to the United States on Friday.
Yorke said he was prevented from entering the USA due to an Iranian
stamp on his passport having represented the 'World Stars' in a charity
match against 'Iranian Stars' in Tehran in 2015.
The 45-year-old enjoyed widespread success in English football, playing
for Aston Villa, United, Blackburn, Birmingham and Sunderland before
retiring in 2009.
Yorke has enjoyed a varied career since then and, having this week
worked for beIN Sports, was due to travel from Doha, Qatar to Trinidad
and Tobago, via Miami, on personal business on Friday.
"I couldn't quite believe what was happening" Yorke said.
"I have lost count of the number of times I have been to America, I love
the country, yet I was being made to feel like a criminal.
"I had bought my ticket and checked in and was about to get on the
flight when I was stopped by two officials. I thought 'what is happening
here?'.
"They told me there was a visa problem and a red flag had come up
against my name because of an Iranian stamp in my passport. I went there
to play in a legends match to open a stadium and didn't even stay
overnight.
"The two officials told me if I got on the flight I would simply be
deported back to Qatar once I arrived in the States. I tried to explain I
didn't even live in Qatar and was just trying to get to my home in the
Caribbean."
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