STV NewsTartan Army fans fear missing out on watching Scotland at the World Cup for the first time in almost 30 years because of travel permits required to enter America.
Thousands are heading over for the tournament in the USA, Canada and Mexico, with some already making the trip stateside, but others have been left in red-tape limbo.
Some on social media have said their ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorisation) has been revoked for no apparent reason and without warning after spending thousands of pounds on flights and accommodation.
Kenny Smith, from the Highlands, is one of the supporters affected, saying he risks missing out on a trip of a lifetime.
He travelled to New York in November last year and had no issues with his ESTA, which was valid for two years.
However, he was told last week that his ESTA status has changed to ‘not authorised’.
And, with Scotland kicking off their tournament on Saturday against Haiti – their first appearance at a World Cup in 28 years – time is running out to get the problem sorted.
Kenny told STV News: “I can’t put it into words. It’s not really about the money anymore; it’s a flippant thing to say, but it’s ripped the heart and soul out of it.
“I never got to France 98′, and for 28 years I’ve been saying I’ll never miss out next time. Well, it looks as if I’m going to miss out at this rate unless things can change.
SNS Group“We’re in a bit of a waiting game. I am supposed to fly out on Friday, but that’s looking more unlikely because whenever I get my certificates, I still need to go back to the embassy.
“That was a £500 round trip at the weekend in itself for a Monday morning appointment to be told the system says no. Absolutely incredible, so now I’m going to have to plan that again. I just don’t get it.”
Kenny, who is a band member of Highland folk rock band Torridon, can’t understand why his visa waiver has been revoked and has been told he needs an ACRO police certificate despite having no prior convictions, which could take weeks to complete.
He has enlisted the help of local MP Jamie Stone and the First Minister’s office to help try to speed up the process.
The musician added: “If they [US government] look at my socials first thing they would have seen was a guitar, potentially, and think he is going out to make money, he is on the wrong visa, so just cancel it.
“But they have assured me that’s not the case, or maybe they are just simply scared that Torridon is going to topple the charts in America.
“I can’t think of anything – they say social media doesn’t come into it.
“Unless they have got a complete mismatch of the wrong identity and there is another namesake who may have a challenging history or character, I don’t know.
“We’ve got no idea, they haven’t told us a thing. They can’t say why it has been revoked, and there is no recourse. It’s a case of the computer says no, you must get a visa, and with a week to go, it’s almost impossible.”
And he says he is not the only one who has had troubles.
Kenny added: “I don’t get the rigmarole people have to go through, and it’s not just me, there are hundreds of others.
“I’ve taken phone calls from people who are pulling their hair out. A family in Dumfries, their son is 15 years old and going through leukaemia, and the mother has had her ESTA revoked.
“This is bonkers. They might never get another holiday, so when I hear stories like that, it really drives me to fight this forward. It’s horrendous; we need to shout at the top.
“Donald Trump, Keir Starmer and John Swinney this needs to change, you need to take action and King Charles we’re looking at you as well, if you can sort out the whisky tariffs, then you can sort this out as well.”
The US embassy in London has been contacted for comment.
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