The Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) has decided to remove four players from the women`s national team roster for the upcoming Yongchuan International Tournament in China this month. This decision is due to worries about the United States` current travel regulations.
Barbra Banda, Grace Chanda, and Prisca Chilufya from Orlando Pride, along with Rachael Kundananji of Bay FC, were initially selected for the tournament. However, these players will no longer travel to China during this international break. The FAZ wants to prevent any potential problems they might face when trying to re-enter the U.S. to rejoin their respective club teams.
According to FAZ general secretary Reuben Kamanga, the withdrawal of these four players is a result of “additional travel measures introduced by the new administration in the United States of America.” The association stated that after consulting with various sources, including the Zambian mission in Washington and the players` clubs, withdrawing the players from the China tournament was the most prudent course of action.
It is expected that these players will be available for selection in future matches.
The specific U.S. travel policies causing concern for the FAZ are not explicitly mentioned. However, it is noted that under the current U.S. administration, there have been instances of foreign-born individuals, even those with valid visas or green cards, being detained at border control and in ICE facilities.
Dominic Ashworth