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One of the world's top athletes is seemingly banned from flying into the US

Alan Dawson   

One of the world's top athletes is seemingly banned from flying into the US
Sports3 min read
  • Tyson Fury is seemingly banned from entering the US.
  • It is reportedly because of his association with alleged cocaine kingpin Daniel Kinahan.

Tyson Fury, one of the world's top athletes, has seemingly been banned from flying into the US.

US officials twice prevented the world heavyweight boxing champion from attempting to enter the country since the US government sanctioned boxing manager and suspected crime boss Daniel Kinahan in April.

The Irish Sun's crime reporter Stephen Breen, who has been an authority on Kinahan coverage for over a decade, tweeted Saturday that the 33-year-old fighter "has been refused access" to the States "for a second time."

Breen reported that Fury tried to "board a flight from Manchester" in England the day before.

The tabloid newspaper reported that Fury complained about his flight ban to the officials who were at the airport at the time.

It added that Fury had tried to fly to the US earlier in the month but was also refused permission to board.

The Sun's source said "he wasn't happy" after customs officials "told him he wasn't allowed on the plane."

He had previously been told the ban was because of his "involvement" with Kinahan, according to The Sun.

Insider contacted Fury regarding the details in this story but did not receive an immediate response.

Tyson's father appeared to confirm the family's travel issues in a YouTube video

Fury's father John Fury appeared to confirm the fighter's travel troubles in a recent YouTube that has since been removed from the platform, according to The Irish Mirror.

John Fury was commenting on Tommy Fury's August 6 bout against Jake Paul at Madison Square Garden in New York City, bemoaning that Tommy's "team members are not allowed in America at the present point of time."

He said: "We can't travel … so Madison Square Garden mate … ain't accessible for us, is it?"

Kinahan sources 'large quantities of cocaine,' according to the US Treasury

Kinahan, a Dubai-based Irishman, has never been convicted of a crime.

The accused figurehead of an organized crime group is currently wanted by US authorities as, in April, the US government publicly placed economic sanctions on Kinahan, saying he "sources large quantities of cocaine from South America" to distribute into Ireland.

The US State Department said Kinahan's gang, known as the Kinahan Organized Crime Group, has interests in hard drugs and weapons.

And according to a special criminal court in Ireland, it has practiced execution-style murders, as Insider previously detailed.

Insider has sought comment from Kinahan's legal representatives in recent months but we were told they were unable to "take instruction" from Kinahan.

When Fury last fought — a sixth-round knockout win over Dillian Whyte in April — he was loathed to speak about his relationship with Kinahan, having received boxing and career advice in the past.

Fury eventually said he "had nothing to hide." He was last seen with Kinahan on a Dubai rooftop at a media event early this year.

"Because I had my picture taken with a man it doesn't make me a criminal," said Fury. "I'm just a boxer."

Fury is one of a number of people in British boxing seemingly banned from flying to the US

Fury is not the only individual in boxing to get slapped with a ban from entering the US.

Boxing trainer Ben Davison, who has spoken positively about Kinahan, also has had visa issues.

Devin Haney previously told Insider that Davison "was scheduled" to meet him in the US, and then travel with him to Australia, for his June 4 undisputed welterweight championship shot against then-champ George Kambosos.

"Right now he's working on his visa," said Haney.

Insider contacted Davison but never received a reply.

Riath Al-Samarrai, a sports journalist at the Daily Mail, reported in May that Sky Sports presenter Matthew Macklin was blocked from flying to the US for punditry duty amid his own links to Kinahan.

Kinahan and Macklin co-founded MGM Marbella — a boxing gym — together in 2012 before it transitioned into MTK Global, a boxing management firm.

MTK Global ceased operations at the end of April citing "unfair scrutiny and criticism" over ties to Kinahan.

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