Sports
Real reason US banned Somali referee Omar Artan
The real reason Somali referee, Omar Artan, was denied entry into the US has been revealed.
The decision comes amid broader immigration restrictions linked to travel bans introduced under the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, which include Somalia among several affected countries.
A U.S. State Department United States Department of State official told AFP that Artan was considered “associated with suspected members of terrorist organizations,” a claim that rendered him “inadmissible” under U.S. entry rules.
Following an 11-hour interview with border officials in Miami, Artan said he was moved to a holding facility before being placed on a flight back to Istanbul.
“I’m just simply a referee who’s trying to live his dream… to come to the World Cup,” he told The New York Times in a phone interview, adding that he had valid documentation and a visa.
FIFA said it could not intervene, stressing that visa and entry decisions rest solely with host governments.
“In line with previous FIFA events, a host government ultimately determines who receives a visa and who is admitted into their country,” a FIFA spokesperson said
Artan had lamented the development, saying the “biggest dream of my life” was taken away after he was denied entry into the United States to officiate at the FIFA World Cup, following what authorities described as vetting concerns.
The Somali was named Referee of the Year in 2025 by the Confederation of African Football Confederation of African Football, has since been removed from FIFA’s list of tournament officials after he was refused entry on arrival in Miami on Saturday.
The Somali government expressed “deep regret” over his exclusion, saying Artan “represents the very best of Somali talent.”