Nearly seven years after being implicated in a robbery case, Argentine club Boca Juniors defender Ayrton Costa faced uncertainty over his participation in the FIFA Club World Cup set to begin today in the United States. Due to the past legal issue, Costa was initially denied a U.S. visa, putting his availability for the tournament in doubt. However, the situation has now been resolved, and Costa will be allowed to play in the Club World Cup.
According to Argentine media outlet Olé, Costa was accused in a 2018 robbery incident in the Bernal area of Argentina. That past accusation was reportedly the reason behind the visa denial. To avoid trial, Costa accepted a probation sentence in 2023. Despite this, U.S. visa officials initially stated that since he had served a sentence, even under probation, he was ineligible for a visa.
In response, Boca Juniors intervened, contacting the U.S. Embassy in Argentina. Initially, the embassy expressed reluctance to assist with such individual visa matters. However, after further communication and efforts, the issue was resolved. Boca Juniors confirmed today that Costa has been granted a 26-day visa, allowing him to participate in the Club World Cup.
The resolution comes as a major relief for Boca Juniors, who can now count on their defender for the prestigious tournament.
