A US official has alleged that Somalian referee, Omar Artan has associations with suspected members of terrorist organizations, hence the reason he was denied entry into the United States ahead of the FIFA World Cup.
The official, who spoke anonymously because of visa privacy laws, disclosed the allegation on Tuesday but did not provide evidence or further details.
Artan, who was set to become the first Somalian referee to officiate at a World Cup, was stopped upon arrival at Miami International Airport on Saturday despite holding a valid US visa. US Customs and Border Protection initially said only that he was denied entry over unspecified “vetting concerns.”
White House FIFA Task Force Executive Director Andrew Giuliani earlier described the decision as being made for a “very good reason” but declined to elaborate.
Artan told The New York Times that he was questioned for 11 hours by border officials about his travels, Somali politics and the al-Shabab militant group. He said he provided FIFA documentation and evidence of his refereeing career before being placed in a holding cell and deported to Istanbul.
“I think that they have a problem with my country,” Artan told the newspaper, adding that he was never informed why he was refused entry.
The 2025 African Referee of the Year had been selected by FIFA to officiate at the World Cup and was due to join other match officials at a training camp in Miami before the tournament begins on Thursday.
FIFA said it was not involved in the immigration process and had been informed by US authorities that Artan’s status would not be changed “at present.”
Somalia’s Ministry of Youth and Sports said efforts were underway through diplomatic channels to resolve the matter and allow Artan to participate in the tournament.
The case has drawn attention because it is highly unusual for a FIFA-appointed World Cup match official to be denied entry by a host country.
Oluwagbemisola Babalola
