FOUR BORDEAUX-BEGLES PLAYERS, including France winger Louis Bielle-Biarrey, were denied entry into the UK and stranded at Bristol Airport due to an administrative issue on the eve of their Champions Cup opener, a club source told AFP.
Bielle-Biarrey, back-rower Romain Gardrat, loosehead prop Matis Perchaud and Tonga international tighthead prop Toma Taufa were unable to leave Bristol Airport and travel with the rest of the squad to the team’s hotel near Gloucester.
Bordeaux-Bègles are set to begin their bid for a record-equalling third straight Champions Cup title away to Gloucester on Friday.
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The five members of the travelling party, including a fitness coach, were found not to have valid Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) permits, which are required for entry into the UK.
According to the source, their ETAs were linked to previous passports that had since been renewed this year, with no new authorisations obtained.
“The British authorities don’t want to hear it,” the source said. “We explained that they are elite athletes, including a well-known France international, who have travelled to play a European Cup match, but they have remained inflexible. The players are stuck at the airport.”
The source added that the club was doing everything possible to resolve the situation and had sought help from the French embassy in London.
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Bordeaux-Bègles players stuck at UK airport after travel hitch
FOUR BORDEAUX-BEGLES PLAYERS, including France winger Louis Bielle-Biarrey, were denied entry into the UK and stranded at Bristol Airport due to an administrative issue on the eve of their Champions Cup opener, a club source told AFP.
Bielle-Biarrey, back-rower Romain Gardrat, loosehead prop Matis Perchaud and Tonga international tighthead prop Toma Taufa were unable to leave Bristol Airport and travel with the rest of the squad to the team’s hotel near Gloucester.
Bordeaux-Bègles are set to begin their bid for a record-equalling third straight Champions Cup title away to Gloucester on Friday.
The five members of the travelling party, including a fitness coach, were found not to have valid Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) permits, which are required for entry into the UK.
According to the source, their ETAs were linked to previous passports that had since been renewed this year, with no new authorisations obtained.
“The British authorities don’t want to hear it,” the source said. “We explained that they are elite athletes, including a well-known France international, who have travelled to play a European Cup match, but they have remained inflexible. The players are stuck at the airport.”
The source added that the club was doing everything possible to resolve the situation and had sought help from the French embassy in London.
– © AFP 2026
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