Former Trinidad and Tobago 2006 World Cup captain and ex-Manchester United star Dwight Yorke appears to have been stopped from entering the United States by a visa requirement that was put in place during the term of former President Barack Obama.

Yorke, who holds a British and Trinidad and Tobago passport, said he felt he was treated like a criminal after Qatari officials advising him against boarding a flight to Miami where he was due to transfer to Trinidad.

Yorke said officials flagged an Iranian stamp on his passport, which they said created a visa issue.

His beIN Sports colleague and former Sky Sports presenter Richard Keys interpreted Yorke’s woes to be a direct result of current US President Donald Trump’s recent controversial “travel ban”—although Trump’s executive order was quickly stayed by the US courts.

Keys tweeted: “Well done @realDonaldTrump. Man U ambassador Dwight Yorke denied transit access to Miami cause he has Iranian stamp in passport. #crazy.”

Several British newspapers, including the Sun, Mirror and Guardian, followed Keys’ lead by blaming Trump for Yorke’s visa problem.

However, the US Embassy in Port of Spain suggested, without naming Yorke, that the policy in question came into effect in December 2015.

“As of December 2015, nationals of VWP countries who have been present in Iran, Iraq, Syria—and other specified countries—at any time on or after March 2011 are no longer eligible to travel or be admitted to the United States under the VWP,” stated a release from the US Embassy. “These new eligibility requirements do not bar travel to the United States. Instead, a traveller who does not meet the requirements must obtain a visa for travel to the United States, which generally includes an in-person interview at a US Embassy or Consulate.”

The full statement from the US Embassy:

The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) allows citizens of certain countries to travel to the United States for business or tourism for stays of up to 90 days without a visa. A list of available countries is available at www.dh.gov/visa-waiver-program-requirements. Trinidad and Tobago is not part of the VWP.

All prospective VWP travellers must obtain pre-travel authorisation via US Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) ESTA system prior to boarding a plane or ship for the US.

As of December 2015, nationals of VWP countries who have been present in Iran, Iraq, Syria—and other specified countries—at any time on or after March 2011 are no longer eligible to travel or be admitted to the United States under the VWP.

These new eligibility requirements do not bar travel to the United States. Instead, a traveller who does not meet the requirements must obtain a visa for travel to the United States, which generally includes an in-person interview at a US Embassy or Consulate.

Additional information including ESTA applications are available at www.cbp.gov.

If you are unable to enter the US on the VWP, please visit our website for information on how to apply for a visa.