Alexis Sanchez has been refused entry to America for Manchester United’s pre-season tour due to visa issues.
Sanchez was a surprise absentee when United flew to Los Angeles on Sunday to begin the five-match trip. He was pictured near his home in Cheshire while Jose Mourinho and the rest of the squad gathered at Manchester Airport for the trip.The club confirmed on Monday that Sanchez did not travel due to ‘personal administrative issues’. Sanchez still hopes to be granted a visa waiver that will allow him to join the tour at some point, but his participation is now in some doubt.
It’s understood that Sanchez has encountered problems obtaining a visa to enter the US after accepting a prison sentence for tax fraud in Spain in February.He was charged with illegally defrauding the Spanish treasury of £885,000 while a Barcelona player in the 2012-13 season.It related to allegations that he used a Malta-based company to receive image rights payments from Barca. United boss Jose Mourinho, Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are among the other leading football figures to be investigated by the Spanish authorities.Sanchez agreed to repay the money in full and accepted a 16-month prison sentence which means he did not have to go to jail because the punishment was less than two years.