Somali referee Artan barred from entering USA

[muriel_volestrangler]

Source: BBC

Somali referee Omar Artan, who was set to be the first from his country to officiate at the World Cup finals, has been denied entry to the United States.

Artan, the 2025 Confederation of African Football men's referee of the year, was barred from entering the country at Miami International Airport and is currently in Turkey.

No reason for Artan's repatriation has been issued by US immigration authorities, but Somalia is one of several countries on a travel ban list introduced by President Donald Trump's administration.
...
An official in the Somali national football league championships, Artan became a Fifa referee in 2018 and has officiated at the African Cup of Nations (Afcon).

Read more: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cnv9drg0qzgo

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You can be absolutely certain this is racism - the Trump regime has a particular thing about Somalis, and never wastes an opportunity to insult them all and imply they are inferior.

If the FIFA president wasn't a Trump arselicker, FIFA would be punishing Trump for this.

[cab67]

1. This should end this year's World Cup.

Why would any team want to be here after something like this?

[BeyondGeography]

2. Chosen by his peers last year to be the best referee on the African continent

Sickening.

[muriel_volestrangler]

3. Sure enough, FIFA hasn't lifted a finger in protest - led by the most corrupt man in sport

In a statement issued after discussions with US authorities, FIFA confirmed that the highly rated official would miss the tournament.

“Fifa can confirm that match official Omar Abdulkadir Artan will be unable to train and officiate at the Fifa World Cup 2026 after he was denied entry into the United States,” read a statement.

FIFA is not involved in host country immigration processes, including visa adjudications, and has been informed by authorities that Mr Artan’s status will not be changed at present.

“In line with previous FIFA events, a host government ultimately determines who receives a visa and who is admitted into their country.”

https://www.premiumtimesng.com/sports/football/886133-fifa-confirms-somali-referee-omar-artan-will-miss-world-cup-after-us-entry-denial.html