After being selected by FIFA, the referee was denied entry to the United States ahead of the World Cup.
Referee Omar Artan has been denied entry to the United States for the World Cup. (Image: Abukar Mohamed Muhyiddin/Anadolu via Getty Images)
FIFA will pay referee Omar Altan the full cost of the tournament. After being selected by FIFA, the Somali national was denied entry to the United States while traveling to referee the World Cup.
After an 11-hour interview, Artan was turned away by border security. BBC Sport reported that the referee would be paid by FIFA, even though he did not officiate any matches.
It is unclear how much the participation fee will be, and officials will reveal the amount after the tournament ends. The Times reported that week that referees could earn up to £75,000, with later-stage referees also potentially receiving large bonuses.
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The news comes after UEFA appointed the referee for the Super Cup final between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa on August 12 in a show of solidarity. He also received a hero’s welcome when he returned to Somalia earlier this week.
The official said of the situation: “I had the right documents and everything. I had the right visa.
“I’m just a referee trying to realize my dream, the biggest dream of my life, to play in the World Cup.”
“I would like to thank the officials, ministers, parliamentarians and all of you. I would like to thank the country and its people for their support. Thanks to the encouragement I received here, I am sure that we will receive more support outside (the airport),” Artan added in a short statement after his return.
Omar Altan received a hero’s welcome upon his return to Somalia. (Image: Abukar Mohamed Muhyiddin/Anadolu via Getty Images)
“Everything is predestined. FIFA supported me well and kept in touch with me until I arrived in Mogadishu.
“I promise you that I will officiate at the next World Cup. Somalia, wherever, I will let you know.”
A Trump administration official told the BBC: “This individual was seeking admission to the United States. Further inspection by CBP (Customs and Border Protection) revealed derogatory information, including an association with a suspected terrorist organization, and the traveler was no longer eligible to enter the United States under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).”
“The traveler was refused entry and given an entry document containing the provisions of the law to be used to complete expedited removal procedures under INA 8235.
“President Trump’s administration will never allow any security threat to enter our country.”
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