Michail Antonio reveals he was barred from entering the UK after passport blunder in nightmare international break
WEST HAM star Michail Antonio has lifted the lid on the passport nightmare that stopped him playing for Jamaica during the international break.
The Hammers striker visited his academy in Ghana and intended to fly via London to meet up with the Jamaica squad for Tuesday’s game against the USA.
He lost his British passport and travelled to Africa on his Jamaican documents.
But he was not allowed to go back because Jamaican passport-holders need a visa to enter the UK.
Antonio said: “So I got stuck in Ghana. I got an emergency passport just to get back to the UK.
“Then I wasn’t able to sort out a visa to fly to America because I couldn’t get a visa on my Jamaican passport.”
Antonio has earned 21 caps for Jamaica, scoring five goals.
He has started nine of West Ham’s 11 Premier League games so far this season.
But his only goal of the campaign came in a 4-1 win over Ipswich back on October 5.
Summer signing Niclas Fullkrug was tipped to replace Antonio in Julen Lopetegui’s side.
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But the Germany international, 31, has not featured since the end of August due to an Achilles tendon injury.
West Ham are languishing in 14th place ahead of their trip to Newcastle on Monday.
Lopetegui, who replaced David Moyes, is already under pressure in his first season at the club.
The Hammers have won just two of their last 10 games in all competitions.