BOXER Amir Khan has complained that he was kicked off a flight after a row over a Covid face mask.
The former world champion, 34, was travelling from New York to Colorado Springs to start his training camp ahead of his next fight.
Khan posted a video to Twitter explaining that he was told that his pal’s face covering was not pulled up high enough before they were both removed from the aircraft by cops.
He said: “I was taken off the plane today when I was going to training camp in Colorado Springs by police.
“A complaint was made by American Airlines staff, they said my colleague’s mask was not high enough and not up, that they had to stop the plane and take me and my friend off when I did nothing wrong.
“They kicked us both off. I was sat at 1A and he was sat in 1B. I find it disgusting and disrespectful.
“I was supposed to go to Colorado Springs for a training camp and now I’m back in New York for another day and I have to reschedule another plane to travel back to training camp.
“It’s really upsetting; there was no reason and I’m so disgusted that American Airlines would do this and ban me from travelling.
“There must be cameras that they can see to see if I or my colleague were bad in any way or caused. a scene in any way.
“I’ve never seen this happen before and I’m heartbroken.”
Khan, who is expected to face British rival Kell Brook in what could be his final fight, has not fought for over two years after beating Billy Dib in Saudi Arabia.
The boxer had considered retiring but looks set to finally settle his rivalry with fellow welterweight Brook who is also nearing the end of his career.
Brook, 35, has fought just twice in the last three years and lost his last bout to undefeated champion Terence Crawford.
Following Brook’s bitter split with promoter Eddie Hearn last year, Khan met with the Matchroom boss on Tuesday in an effort to do business.
An American Airlines spokesman said: “Prior to takeoff, American Airlines Flight 700, with service from Newark Liberty International Airport to Dallas-Fort Worth, returned to the gate to deplane two customers who reportedly refused to comply with repeated crew member requests to stow luggage, place cell phones in airplane mode and adhere to federal face covering requirements.
“Our Customer Relations team is reaching out to Mr. Khan to learn more about his experience and reinforce the importance of policies implemented for the safety of our customers and crew.”
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
