Scotland fan in race to make kick-off in Boston after visa u-turn

A desperate Scotland supporter is on a race against time to reach Boston after his US visa was approved on the eve of Scotland's World Cup opening match.

>Kenny Smith, from Inverness, was one of the many fans who saw their their Esta travel permits withdrawn without explanation last week.

>But after his travel was approved at the US embassy in London on Friday morning, airport delays caused him to narrowly miss his connecting flight in Dublin.

>He will spend the night there and hopes to arrive in Boston at 14:45 EST on Saturday, just hours before kick-off at 21:00 (02:00 BST). "Now it is mission critical," he said.

>Smith, who is lead singer with folk rock band Torridon, described the turn of events as "unbelievable".

>"It took ages to get the bags off. I missed my check-in by 15 minutes," he said.

>"I am booked on tomorrow and due to arrive in Boston around 14:45."

>Smith, who joined the US embassy queue at 07:30, told BBC Scotland News there were several Scotland fans lined up.

>At the desk the official behind the glass who approved his visa said: "I am so sorry you had to go through this."

>Smith said: "I could have cried - and I did later. I said 'I could cuddle you just now'.

>"He said a fist bump would do so we fist bumped on the screen and off I went.

>"I have never had a feeling like it in my life. I am going to Boston."

>Smith said the "rollercoaster" experience since his visa was revoked last week had given him chest pains.

>The security firm boss said he was failed by the system but finally got a result thanks to the people, including politicians and fellow fans, who rallied to his cause.

>Smith said: "I can't keep track of the messages. It has been absolutely incredible."

>He hopes other Scotland fans in the same situation manage to get the green light to travel to the US, which is co-hosting the tournament with Canada and Mexico.

>Smith has been following Scotland home and away since he was 16.

>He was too young to attend the 1998 World Cup in France and vowed he would be at the next one.

>But he never imagined it would be almost three decades later.

>Scotland will face Haiti on the opening match in the Boston Stadium in Foxborough before taking on Morocco at the venue at 23:00 BST next Friday.

>The final group match in Miami - which kicks off at 23:00 on 24 June - will pit the national side against five-time winners Brazil.

>Earlier this week a Scotland football fan told BBC Scotland News how he found out an hour before flying that his travel permit had been revoked.

>Michael Wright ended up having to send his brother through the security gates at Manchester Airport on his own when his visa status switched to "travel not authorised".

>Other members of the Tartan Army previously told how they could lose out on thousands of pounds in travel costs due to the ESTA changes.

What is an Esta?In order to travel to America, applicants must complete a form, pay a fee, and receive approval before travel.

>An approved Esta is usually valid for two years and allows multiple short visits.

>UK citizens with certain criminal convictions or immigration issues are usually not eligible.

>In December, the White House said it wanted to make social media checks part of the process of applying for the permissions.

>Anyone who does not qualify for an Esta has to apply for a US visa instead, but this can be a lengthy progress.

Tartan Army feels the heat in Boston as World Cup kicks off • >Scotland fan has US visa revoked an hour before flying to World Cup • >Scotland fans 'heartbroken' as travel permits to World Cup withdrawn last minute