Aug. 7 (UPI) — Argentinian professional soccer player Matías Pourrain has been detained by U.S. immigration officials in Florida while traveling with his American team, club officials said Friday.
Pourrain, a 34-year-old midfielder for Club de Lyon FC of the National Independent Soccer Association, was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents at Fort Lauderdale Airport on Thursday while preparing to board a domestic flight to Los Angeles, the team said in a social media post.
“Matías was not attempting to enter or leave the United States. He was simply traveling from one U.S. city to another,” the statement read.
Pourrain “is not a criminal,” the team said in pleading for help to secure his release.
“Today, he remains in ICE custody while his attorney is working to secure his release and ensure that all of his rights are respected,” Club de Lyon FC said.
“Right now, we urgently need one thing from everyone who knows Matías, has crossed paths with him, or simply believes his story deserves to be heard.”
The player has been living in the United States for seven years and, according to his team’s statement, has a pending asylum case, a Florida state ID, and no criminal record.
His brother, Juan Pourrain, told Argentinian broadcaster Todo Noticias that while Matias was indeed in the United States on asylum status, “he also had Social Security, a work permit, all his papers were in order.
“But he was waiting for his appointment. It seems that now they are arresting those who have pending appointments.”
Before coming to the United States, the footballer played for Real Pilar, San Martín de Burzaco and Mercedes in Buenos Aires. He was a member of the latter squad when it won promotion to Primera C in 2019 and eliminated top-flight Vélez Sarsfield from the Copa Argentina, Infobae reported.
