The Senegal Football Federation has issued a statement addressing the controversy surrounding their arrival in the USA ahead of the World Cup. Footage circulated on social media appeared to show players and staff being screened and searched on the airport tarmac.

The clips sparked a wave of condemnation online, with former England striker and television pundit Ian Wright among those to voice their disapproval. The incident coincided with the case of Somali referee Omar Artan, who was refused entry to the country following an 11-hour interview at border control.

Senegal have since moved to set the record straight, confirming that the security checks actually took place prior to the team’s arrival in San Antonio and had been arranged in advance.

“Following the circulation on social media of a video showing players and staff members of the Senegal national team undergoing a security check on an airport tarmac, we wish to provide the following clarifications in order to avoid any erroneous interpretation,” the statement read.

“Contrary to certain reported information, this check did not take place upon the team’s arrival in San Antonio, but rather at the time of boarding at Raleigh airport on Sunday, June 7, 2026, before the flight’s departure.

“As part of the logistical organisation of the trip, the bus carrying the national team left the hotel in Raleigh to go directly onto the airport tarmac.

“This procedure allowed the players and staff members to complete all security and police checks directly at the foot of the aircraft, without having to pass through the usual areas of the terminal and the boarding lounges.

“This arrangement was essentially aimed at optimising the travel time of the delegation and facilitating its boarding on the private flight to San Antonio.

“We wish to emphasise that this procedure took place in compliance with the airport security rules in force and that no particular incident was reported.

“The private flight connecting Raleigh to San Antonio took place under excellent conditions, and the entire delegation arrived at its destination normally.”

Senegal were in action during the early hours of the morning, drawing 0-0 with Saudi Arabia. The match saw Chelsea forward Nicolas Jackson sent off. The African nation face France, Norway and Iraq in their group stage fixtures.

Irish runner Ciarán Ó Lionáird was found dead in Montreal, Canada, at the age of 38 on Tuesday morning. The middle-distance athlete trained alongside Mo Farah under coach Alberto Salazar ahead of the 2012 Summer Olympic Games.

Ó Lionáird competed for Ireland in London, placing 13th in his 1500 metres heat after struggling with an Achilles injury in the run-up. Twelve months prior, he made his major championship bow at the World Championships in Athletics in Daegu, South Korea, reaching the 1500m final before coming 10th.

Then, in 2013, he claimed his first bronze medal in the 3000m at the European Athletics Indoor Championships. Ó Lionáird believed that chasing gold cost him silver in Gothenburg, Sweden. He said: “If I ran for silver, I wouldn’t have been able to get to sleep. I ran for gold and probably lost a silver in doing that.”

Plantaris tendon surgery brought that season to a premature close for him. Nevertheless, the Cork native advanced to the final of the next year’s European Athletics Championships in Zurich. Ó Lionáird failed to complete the 1500m race, though, after being spiked by an opponent during the contest.

He subsequently retired in 2016, two years afterwards, having spent the preceding seasons battling injuries. A short-lived return to competition arrived months into the COVID-19 pandemic.

That sparked hopes of participation at the postponed 2020 Summer Olympics, which occurred in 2021. However, this time illness dashed any prospects of a comeback, with Ó Lionáird retiring once more within the year.

He returned to recreational running more recently, having come to terms with the manner in which his career drew to a close. Ó Lionáird said: “Take away the comeback, the Olympics, anything.I realise now the return to the activity of running, how much I needed it, and that I am a runner at my core. As much as I want to shed it, I think it’s OK to admit this is something that you’re built to do, something you need to do.”

Christian Minor, a former Florida State University runner, paid a heartfelt tribute to Ó Lionáird, saying: “He was one of my best friends, running partner, and my brother. We met in college and built absolutely ridiculous memories together. He fought hard, loved deeply, and genuinely made everyone around him better. Rest easy, Mad Len. Keep the trails in Heaven warm for us.”