Leaked email reveals possible visa issues for Vegas games
The four Las Vegas-bound NRL clubs are reportedly calling for an urgent meeting with Peter V’Landys as confusion grows around players getting visas.
The Broncos, Roosters, Rabbitohs and Sea Eagles will square off in a double-header on March 2, but the clubs are worried whether all their players will be able to enter America.
The teams leave in less than a month for the matches at Allegiant Stadium and clubs are frustrated with the lack of information from head office on visas, medical insurance and training facilities in the US.
Club bosses wrote to NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo on December 16 asking for a meeting to resolve the issues.
The NRL reportedly indicated to the clubs for months that players could travel to the US on an ESTA, which waives the traveller from needing a visa, but that advice changed last Friday.
The NRL emailed the clubs to warn that players who had been arrested could face challenges entering the US.
The email said players now have three options for entry and graded each approach: an athletes’ visa (most conservative); a visitors’ visa (conservative); and an ESTA (least conservative).
Rabbitohs boss Blake Solly said his club still supported the groundbreaking venture into the US, but emphasised he wanted their questions answered by the NRL.
“The four clubs are completely supportive of the NRL’s vision for the USA and the match in Las Vegas,” Solly told The SMH.
“An ambitious project of this nature is always going to have its logistical challenges, like the visa issue. Ideally, these logistical issues are solved ASAP, so we can focus solely on promoting the game and working with the NRL to ensure this event is the success it deserves to be”.
V’landys said he would address and fix any and all issues.
“I understand their frustrations,” he said.
“However, I’m a 100 per cent confident all the matters will be resolved very quickly. I appreciate their strong support for the concept. We’re all on the same team promoting this. If it succeeds, it could be one of the greatest things to happen to the game.”