Somali referee Omar Artan was denied entry into the United States on Monday following an 11-hour interrogation by immigration officials at Miami International Airport. Despite holding a valid diplomatic passport and single-entry visa, Artan was deemed inadmissible over alleged associations with suspected members of terror organizations, specifically the militant group Al-Shabaab—allegations he firmly denies.
“I had the right papers and everything. I had the right visa,” Artan stated. “I’m just simply a referee who’s trying to live his dream, the biggest dream of my life, to come to the World Cup.”
FIFA intervened after Artan was placed on a return flight to Somalia, and according to BBC Sport, the governing body has committed to paying his full World Cup match fee despite his inability to participate.
The 34-year-old official, named the 2025 Confederation of African Football (CAF) Men’s Referee of the Year, remains among the continent’s most respected match officials. He has since been appointed to officiate the UEFA Super Cup between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa in Salzburg, Austria, on August 12, and recently worked the second leg of the CAF Champions League final between Pyramids FC and Mamelodi Sundowns.
Following his return home, Artan expressed gratitude to his supporters and vowed to pursue his goal of officiating at the 2030 World Cup.
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