July 16, 2022
The brief from today:
Xavi’s immigration problems
Barcelona were set to depart Spain for their US exhibition tour today, but a key member won’t be joining them—at least initially. Yesterday, the club realized that coach, Xavi, wouldn't be granted access to the country due to his immigration history. While coaching previous side Al-Sadd in Qatar, the team made three visits to Iran, and as a result he would need special dispensation to enter the US. The travel permit required is still being processed, and it’s expected that things will be sorted by next week, which is when Xavi will join the team. It seems Barca slightly underestimated the bureaucratic process, and now they will be without their coach for the initial leg of the preseason tour. This all comes as a surprise as the big news recently was whether midfielder, de Jong, would be included in the team going to the US. With Barcelona wanting him to accept the potential transfer to Manchester United, speculation was rife that the Dutchman would be left behind, but in the end he was confirmed for the trip, while Xavi now stays behind temporarily.
Passport problems for Xavi
Confusion over Mbemba’s age
Recent free agent, Chancel Mbemba, is off the market after he completed his move to Ligue 1 side, Marseille. His contract with Porto expired this summer, and some of the rumors as to why the Portuguese club opted not to extend their relationship revolve around age. The DR Congo international’s actual birthdate has caused confusion at various points in his career, and after his recent move, they have resurfaced. Mbemba’s age is currently listed as 27, but there was a FIFA investigation back in 2013 that occurred after some contradictions. Initially his birth year was listed as 1988 at his first two clubs in the DR Congo, then that changed at an AFCON match qualifier in 2011, which had his birthdate as November 30, 1991. As if that wasn’t enough, his first club in Europe, Belgian side Anderlecht, registered his birthdate as August 8, 1994 when he joined them in 2012, as did his following clubs: Newcastle and Porto. In order to take part at the London Olympics in 2012, he was also listed as being born in 1990. Presently, his FIFA recognized birthdate is August 8, 1994. Mbemba, for his part, denies any wrongdoing. Before his move to Newcastle, Mbemba had tests done to prove his age saying, “I got bone tests done, and as me and all my friends know, the results prove what my age is. I just go out and play football, no misinformation. A lot has been said about my birthdate and the different ages. I proved exactly what the truth is.” He claims that people in Africa—primarily his friends and family—know his real birthdate is August 8, 1994, and that’s all that matters to him. Whether this issue gets resolved, or continues to persist, remains to be seen.
Mbemba believes he’s sorted it, but his age is still causing confusion