Visa worry leaves Levante without Diop for Europa

Published Aug. 22, 2012 1:45 p.m. ET

foxsports

Spanish league club Levante says it was forced to leave midfielder Pape Diop at home for its Europa League playoff at Motherwell over fears the Senegalese player would be turned away by British customs.

Levante says Diop left the team plane Wednesday after a two-hour runway wait in Valencia with UEFA and the British government failing to assure it that he would not be turned away upon arrival.

Levante says the necessary paperwork was completed but Diop did not have a special visa needed in line with security measures for the Paralympics in London.

Diop played three seasons at Racing Santander before joining Levante this summer.

Levante says UEFA has confirmed newly signed Greece striker Theofanis Gekas is allowed to play after being added to the squad late.