Ruptly
"Football fans in Accra accused FIFA and the United States government of 'failing Africa', amid World Cup visa issues and high ticket prices, speaking on Wednesday - after commentators and critics suggested it was really the 'World Cup of the One per cent'. "If you look at the visa process issue, it is we, the Africans, are struggling to get the visa to go and support our nation. So for us, [they] failed us," said Ridwan Issah from the Nationwide Supporters Union. "Countries like Cote d'Ivoire, Senegal, South Africa, and co, they are facing challenges on visa, and it's about supporters," added football coach Abraham Nkansah. Veronica Commey, Deputy Director General of Ghana’s National Sports Authority, said the costs were also extortionate. "We keep hearing about ticket prices, and you know that even those who live there, the Americans themselves, plus globally supporters everywhere, keep saying that this is quite expensive. The ticket is quite expensive," she said. "FIFA has failed Africa fans. Secondly, the US government the same thing," claimed Bruce Anum Tetteh, an electrician. The Trump administration imposed visa bans and restrictions on several countries - including World Cup competitors Haiti, Iran, Senegal and Ivory Coast. One poll found that the visa rejection rather was over 40 per cent for 11 countries; Ecuador, Egypt, Haiti, Algeria, Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, Jordan, Iran, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana and Senegal. The US State Department said "we adjudicate each visa application on a case-by-case basis after rigorous review and thorough vetting to determine whether the individual is eligible under US law". FIFA has defended the costs, with President Gianni Infantino describing the 'absolutely crazy' demand. "
Go to News Site
BuzzFeed News 
Metro 
Belfast Live 
Evening Standard 
The Independent 
