We were the first lacrosse website to break the news, and now we have confirmation. Read the press release for even more details.
Hollywood film director James Cameron has entered the dispute surrounding the Iroquois Nationals lacrosse team. The Iroquois Nationals have been rejected from entering the UK to play in the World Lacrosse Championships, after the British consulate refused toacknowledge the team’s Haudenosaunee passports. The team had already had their travel visas delayed after waiting for assurance from the U.S. StateDepartment that the group will be allowed back into the United States.
The director of blockbuster movies such as Avatar, Titanic and Terminatordonated $50,000 to the Iroquois team after they spent more than $25,000 a day on hotels and airline charges, whilst trying to travel to Manchester toplay in the World Lacrosse Championships.
Cameron was born in Canada, where lacrosse is the national sport.
The Iroquois team is ranked No. 4 in the world by the FIL and represents the Haudenosaunee — an Iroquois Confederacy of the Oneida, Seneca, Mohawk,Tuscarora, Cayuga and Onondaga nations, whose land stretches from upstate New York into Ontario, Canada. The team were due to play against England in the opening match of the Championships but after being turned away from their flight in New York,missed the opening ceremony and were replaced in the evenings opening fixture by Germany.
Furthermore, they have been completely replaced in the Blue division by Germany, who will take over the Iroquois team’s schedule.The Iroquois Nationals are still aiming to make it to Manchester at some point to take part in a competitive match. Should they arrive in time, theFIL have indicated that a decision will be made regarding their fixture schedule, allowing them to compete.
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[…] British consulate refused to acknowledge the team’s Haudenosaunee passports. Supporters included James Cameron and the Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton. The New York Times to the Economist were only […]