Uruguay’s national team has placed the blame on FIFA after experiencing travel delays on the journey from their base in Mexico to Miami ahead of their first World Cup match. The team were due to play against Saudi Arabia when their aircraft was denied entry to the United States, leaving the plane stranded for around 45 minutes.
What happened?
The team had travelled to Cancun, Mexico, to make their final preparations before their first World Cup match against Saudi Arabia and were due to fly to Miami on the afternoon of Sunday, June 14. However, the players were left waiting when it was discovered that the aircraft they were using did not have clearance to fly to the U.S. This was due to paperwork issues that meant the plane’s flight from Cancun to Miami had not been approved.
The Uruguayan team was forced to wait at the Mayakoba Complex, a hotel resort close to Cancun International Airport (CUN), for around 45 minutes before a solution was found and a replacement flight to Miami could take place. Following the news of the delay, the Uruguayan Football Association (AUF) released a statement informing fans of the situation, saying:
“Due to problems beyond the control of the AUF, the departure from Mexico has been delayed. The squad is resting at the hotel. The new departure time set by FIFA is 4.15pm.”
While the team did eventually reach Miami, the delays meant that they arrived several hours late for a pre-match press conference at Miami Stadium.
How did Uruguay respond?
An AUF spokesperson has confirmed to The Athletic that they consider FIFA to be responsible for the delay.
FIFA later spoke out about the situation, placing the blame on the airline instead. A statement from the organisation said:
“Due to an airline permitting error in Mexico, the Uruguay national team’s departure from Cancun to Miami was delayed. The airline has apologised for the inconvenience caused. FIFA remained in close contact with the Uruguay national team throughout their delay and worked alongside airport and operational partners to help expedite the process and minimise disruption to the team’s travel arrangements.”
This incident is among numerous other travel issues that have affected players and other personnel attending the World Cup. Somalian referee Omar Artan was denied entry into the U.S. due to unspecified vetting concerns, despite being on the list of approved FIFA employees. Meanwhile, Palestine’s football chief, Jibril Rajoub, revealed on Friday, June 12, that he is still awaiting permission to enter the country.
Who do you think is to blame for the chaotic travel experience of the Uruguay national team? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
