Sports

Aussie soccer fan’s World Cup dream crushed by second Russian visa rejection

Related Story: Sudden ID cancellations leave World Cup-bound fans desperate, out of pocket

Socceroos fan Aaron Camm has been left "gutted" after his application for a tourist visa to Russia to attend the World Cup was rejected, just days after his Fan ID was cancelled without explanation just two weeks out from the start of the competition.

Key points:

  • Fans received emails from Russian Government saying IDs were rejected despite already receiving the document
  • Fan IDs act as a visa for ticket-holders to the FIFA World Cup, which kicks off June 14
  • Fans have already spent thousands on tickets, travel and accommodation

Mr Camm, who has a medical condition known as arthrogryposis multiplex congenita and is confined to a wheelchair, is one of at least 11 Australians to have their Fan IDs — which double as visas — rejected after earlier being approved.

His last hope was to apply for a standard tourist visa, which would have granted him access to Russia.

"This has been a last-ditch effort to put in a tourist visa application to get over there," he said.

A screenshot of a Facebook post on a mobile phone.

"I probably wouldn't have got into any games, but to at least get over there."

"[But] I got word this morning through a visa agent I have been using to help me with this process that it had been rejected as well."

He is adamant he has not done anything to warrant being banned from the tournament, including posting any form of anti-Russian content on social media.

"I've been racking my brain for the past couple of weeks trying to think of any sort of incident that would cause this, and I can't think of anything," Mr Camm said.

"The Russians really don't want me getting into the country for some reason."

Email exchange between Aaron Camm and Fan ID

Authorities silent on cancellation queries

Since Saturday afternoon, all attempts by the ABC to uncover why the Australians have had their World Cup Fan IDs cancelled have failed to yield any answers.

The ABC understands the Australian Embassy in Moscow did make enquiries with organisers on behalf of the Socceroos fans, but it is unclear if there was any response.

World football governing body FIFA was also unable to shed light on the cancellations.

A spokesman said it was a matter for the Russian Government, as the process was implemented and controlled by Russian authorities.

The Russian Ministry of Communications and Mass Media — which controls the Fan ID website — responded to an enquiry by the ABC saying the IDs could be cancelled at any time "to ensure the defence capability or security of the state or public order".

It said it had no obligation to provide a reason or explanation for its decision, as outlined in the terms and conditions on the Fan ID website.

Fan ID website screenshot

Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has not responded to the ABC's requests for a comment.

It leaves Mr Camm with no understanding as to why he was banned from entering the country.

Mr Camm intends to watch Australia's World Cup opener with friends on television, before using his pre-booked leave to go on holiday.

Original Article

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