Sikh fans harassed by security at Chargers stadium for wearing turbans
'We are Americans at the end of the day. And we are not supposed to be afraid of fellow Americans'
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Your support makes all the difference.A group of Denver Broncos fans were denied entry into Qualcomm Stadium because they were wearing turbans.
“Three of my buddies, they had turbans on, and it was like, you guys got to take the turbans off,” Verinder Mahli told ABC 10 News in San Diego.
The fans were eventually allowed into the stadium, but Mr Mahli says that one security official said that if they ever return, they can only do so without turbans.
“It’s bad, I mean, this is embarrassing for me, because we are Americans at the end of the day. And we are not supposed to be afraid of fellow Americans.”
Mr Mahli and his friends drove seven hours to watch their Broncos slam the Chargers 17-3, but a few tailgaters had called the police after the three men were seen placing a bad into their car.
Police told ABC that a bomb-sniffing dog had cleared the car, while Mr Malhi said they had placed a bag into their car after realizing it was prohibited from entering the stadium.
“Everybody kind of confusing us with the turbans, because what you see on TV is mostly the terrorists they wear turbans," Mr Malhi said. "But our turbans is different, our faith is different, our beliefs are different.”
The city of San Diego is reportedly investigating the claims and have said that the security official was not employed by the city.
The Independent has reached out to the NFL, and Qualcomm Stadium for further comment on the incident.