French rugby players blocked at UK airport due to ETA issue
Four Bordeaux-Begles players, including France winger Louis Bielle-Biarrey, were stranded at Bristol Airport after being denied entry into the UK because of an administrative issue on the eve of their Champions Cup opener against Gloucester.
Bielle-Biarrey, back-rower Romain Gardrat, loosehead prop Matis Perchaud and Tonga international tighthead prop Toma Taufa were unable to leave Bristol Airport and travel with the rest of the squad to the team’s hotel near Gloucester.
The five members of the travelling party, including a fitness coach, were found not to have valid Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) permits, which are required for entry into the UK.
A source told AFP that the quintet’s ETAs were linked to old passports that had since been renewed, with no new authorisations obtained.
Bordeaux-Begles are set to begin their bid for a record-equalling third straight Champions Cup away to Gloucester on Friday.
The club sought help from the French embassy in London in a bid to resolve the issue, which was eventually cleared up, allowing the players to rejoin the rest of the team.
