Somali referee denied entry to US for World Cup: official
Mogadishu (AFP) – Award-winning Somali referee Omar Artan, set to be the first from his country to officiate at the World Cup finals, was denied entry to the United States, a sports ministry official told AFP on Monday.
Somali referee Omar Artan, the first from his country to officiate at the World Cup, was denied entry to the United States despite having a valid visa.
What was announced
- Omar Artan was set to officiate at the World Cup finals in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
- Artan's entry was denied at Miami International Airport, potentially linked to a travel ban list.
- Ciise Aden Abshir emphasized that denying Artan entry undermines football's commitment to fairness.
Context
Omar Artan's denial of entry comes as he was selected to officiate at the World Cup, marking a significant milestone for Somali representation in international football.
“Denying him entry to the United States and preventing him from officiating scheduled matches harms not only him personally but also undermines football’s commitment to fairness, merit, and the spirit of fair play.”
Why this matters: This event highlights the challenges faced by Somali representatives in international sports and the impact of travel restrictions.
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Mogadishu (AFP) – Award-winning Somali referee Omar Artan, set to be the first from his country to officiate at the World Cup finals, was denied entry to the United States, a sports ministry official told AFP on Monday.
It was not immediately clear why Artan was barred from entering the US at Miami International Airport, but Somalia is one of several countries on a travel ban list introduced by President Donald Trump’s administration.
“Omar Artan is among Africa’s most respected referees and deserves the support of the entire football community,” Ciise Aden Abshir, a senior advisor to Somalia’s Ministry of Youth and Sports and a former national team captain, told AFP.
Artan had a valid visa for the US, Abshir said. He has flown back to Istanbul, where he has been staying.
Source noteWhy this story appears
This report is shown because it came from Warkasta’s monitored source network and matches the current section, recency, and coverage labels.
Why this story appears
This report is shown because it came from Warkasta’s monitored source network and matches the current section, recency, and coverage labels.
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