Pa Salieu reveals he's been dropped from 2022 Commonwealth Games closing ceremony

03 August 2022, 10:26 | Written by Cerys Kenneally

(News)

(Pa Salieu)

Pa Salieu has shared a statement on socials announcing that he's been removed from the Commonwealth Games closing ceremony after failing a "background check".

The Commonwealth Games 2022 closing ceremony is expected to take place on Monday (8 August) at Birmingham's Alexander Stadium, and last night (2 August) on socials, Pa Salieu revealed he was expected to perform at the closing ceremony, but has since been removed from the line-up after being told he "failed a background check."

"I've already had to cancel 90% of my shows this year because the Home Office won't process my paperwork I need to travel abroad until my court case is finished," Pa Salieu continued. "I have fully co-operated with the process. Attended court on time every single day. The trial ended in March, but they keep just moving the final sentencing date which was due to be in May. Most recently the date moved because the "prosecutor has gone on holiday"."

He added that he's been "trying to use my career to show people where I'm from that there is another life for us," and wrote, "What is the real reason here?? How can you fail a "background check" to perform at a closing ceremony. What does that even mean??"