Barcelona's Dutch forward Patrick Kluivert was denied entry to the United States on the club's pre-season tour and forced to fly straight back to Spain because of a visa problem.
According to reports by journalists travelling with the team, Kluivert was turned away at Boston's Logan airport as he was not in possession of a special visa required because of a prior conviction.
In 1996, Kluivert was found guilty by a Dutch court of causing death by dangerous driving, ordered to perform 240 hours of community service and given a three-month jail sentence, suspended for two years.
Barcelona are playing three matches on their tour of the United States, starting with a game against Juventus in Foxboro on Sunday and continuing against AC Milan in Washington on July 30 and against Manchester United in Philadelphia on August 3.
Kluivert will definitely miss the first of those but could play in the remaining two games if he acquires the visa and returns to the United States.
More from rediff