The Tartan Army has arrived in Boston after making the lengthy journey from Scotland for the World Cup. Football fans clad in kilts and Scotland strips have been descending on the east coast of the US ahead of the opening fixture with Haiti, which will be played at 9pm local time. Anticipation has been building in Massachusetts as Scotland's men's team prepares to play in the tournament for the first time in 30 years.
Travel Permit Drama
While many fans have already landed in the US, travel permit drama has meant fresh criminal background checks for some. The Daily Record revealed last week that hundreds of Scotland fans hoping to head to the US have had their electronic system for travel authorisation (Esta) waivers revoked by the US government. Fans were told they'll need to provide a new criminal background check called an ACRO - supplied by the Association of Chief Police Officers Criminal Records Office. However, they cannot get these background checks completed until well after Scotland's game against Haiti - with thousands of pounds already spent on flights.
Fan's Appeal to Trump
Kenny Smith, a security firm boss from Inverness, expressed his anger at being told he now needs a new background check. He appealed to US President Donald Trump - whose mother was Scottish - to intervene. Kenny said: "I would appeal directly to Donald Trump to make an intervention. I can't think for the life of me that Trump - who is very proud of his Scottish roots - would want the Tartan Army to be treated like this. We have a situation where so many Scots seem to be barred for the World Cup for no reason and no-one has heard of a single England fan facing this visa hell." He added: "The glaring solution to all this is to allow people who were given last minute Esta revocations the chance to apply for them again."
Government Response
John Swinney said he would do "all I can to help" those affected. He told the Scottish Parliament: "I am aware that the United States Embassy has issued advice to individuals affected by ESTA refusals, indicating that they may apply for a visa through the FIFA Pass System, and I have asked officials to convey our hope that they can resolve this so that Scotland's fans do not miss out." He added that specific representations have been made with the Consul General of the United States in Scotland.
