Werder Bremen cancel US trip over ICE shooting concerns

German club Werder Bremen have cancelled a trip to the USA, citing concerns over “unrest” following a government immigration crackdown that left two people dead.

The Bundesliga side had been planning to play friendly matches in Minnesota and Detroit in May.

Two American citizens – Alex Pretti and Renee Good – were fatally shot by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers in Minnesota last month during ‘Operation Metro Surge’, sparking major protests across the US.

A Werder spokesman told BBC Sport the Trump administration’s crackdown was among “sporting, economic and political reasons” that led to the club abandoning their plans.

“Playing in a city where there is unrest and people have been shot does not fit with our values,” he said.

“Furthermore, it was unclear to us which players would be able to enter the USA at all due to the stricter entry requirements.”

The Trump administration has moved to tighten visa rules – implementing outright bans for some nationalities – citing national security as a reason.

Werder’s struggles in the Bundesliga, where they are battling to avoid relegation, were also a factor, the spokesman added.

“We are currently facing a very challenging sporting situation, which also makes planning such a trip difficult,” he said. “There have also been certain economic risks.”

Werder are without a win in their past 12 Bundesliga matches and are 16th in the 18-team table – a position that would leave them facing a relegation play-off against the third-placed side in Bundesliga 2.