MUSCAT: A procedural visa oversight kept Oman’s professional footballers Khalid al Buraiki and Abdulrahman al Mushaifri away from competitive action for more than seven weeks, delaying their return to Czech side SK Artis Brno and exposing the hidden challenges faced by Omani players pursuing careers in Europe.
The two internationals only resumed full training with their Czech club last weekend after resolving complications related to their residency status, having initially entered Europe on a short-term Schengen visa rather than the long-stay visa required for professional athletes.
The issue dates back to the players’ arrival in Europe earlier this season, when both Al Buraiki and Al Mushefri entered the Czech Republic using a Schengen visa previously issued for a national team training camp in Spain. While the visa allowed short-term movement within Europe, it did not permit extended residence.
Despite beginning their professional journey with SK Artis Brno, the oversight went unnoticed until the players joined Oman’s national team in Qatar during the 2026 Fifa World Cup Asian Qualifiers playoff stage.
According to Issa al Noobi, a Fifa-authorised football agent, the problem surfaced during immigration procedures. “As everyone knows, any player who intends to stay in Europe for a long period must obtain a long-stay visa,” Al Noobi explained. “Unfortunately, this was not considered at the beginning. When the players were returning from Qatar, they were informed by immigration authorities that they had exhausted their 90 cumulative Schengen days and were required to remain outside Europe for another 90 days before re-entry.”
As a result, both players were forced to remain in Oman from November 12, 2025, missing team training, league fixtures and competitive continuity with their Czech club. The absence stretched to 51 days, an extended period that could have significantly affected their form and standing within the squad.
However, coordinated efforts from multiple parties helped fast-track a solution through diplomatic efforts and club support. Al Noobi praised the collective role played by both Czech and Omani authorities in resolving the issue.
“The club management worked closely with the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs to facilitate the process through the Czech Embassy in Riyadh,” he said. “At the same time, Oman’s Foreign Ministry in Muscat, in coordination with Oman’s Embassy in Riyadh, played a major role in completing the long-stay visa procedures.”
Their combined efforts eventually cleared the way for both players to return to the Czech Republic and rejoin their club.
TRAINING NEVER STOPPED
Despite being away from the team, Oman national team players Al Buraiki and Al Mushaifri remained under close professional supervision during their stay in Oman. The club’s coaching staff provided daily fitness programmes, including morning and evening sessions, alongside a structured nutrition plan to ensure the players maintained peak physical condition.
The level of support extended beyond remote monitoring. SK Artis Brno’s vice-chairman and general manager, Peter Kuba, along with the head coach Jiri Chytry, travelled to Oman and spent the Christmas and New Year period in Muscat.
The club officials met the players on December 18, 2025, reaffirming their commitment and ensuring a swift return once visa formalities were completed. During their stay, the Czech delegation also visited Seeb Club and Al Shabab Club, holding discussions on potential cooperation and football development initiatives.
With the visa issue resolved, Al Buraiki and Al Mushaifri have now rejoined SK Artis Brno and resumed full training. The team is scheduled to depart for a two-week training camp in Turkey, followed by another external camp in Portugal, as preparations intensify ahead of the league’s resumption in mid-February. SK Artis Brno currently sit third in the league standings with 30 points, trailing leaders Brno (41 points) and second-placed Taborsko (36 points).
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