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Why The Passport Check?

SDSoccer

Administrator
Staff member
Some folks on Twitter saw the photos of the team passport check that took place this afternoon before training at Estadio Azteca and asked a simple question: Why do they do it?

It's also a simple answer. In order to be eligible to play for a country, you must be able to demonstrate that you are a citizen, and the only acceptable proof in this case is a passport. Before each game in an official competition, players on the roster are required to show their passport to the Match Commissioner to confirm both their identity and their eligibility.

On match day, the Match Commisioner and the fourth official go to each locker room and have each player hold up their jersey to match the number to the official roster. Once that's all confirmed, it's game time ...

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