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Top African referee Omar Artan refused access to US before World Cup

The Guardian Sport Monday 08 June 2026, 18:18 UTC By Paul MacInnes 1 min read
Key Points

Was going to be first Somalian to officiate at a World Cup‘He deserves the support of the football community’A Somali referee, who was set to become the first person from his country to officiate at a World Cup, has been denied access to the United States, according to reports. Omar Artan is alleged to have been refused entry to the US at Miami International Airport this past weekend, despite having a valid travel visa.

  • Was going to be first Somalian to officiate at a World Cup

  • ‘He deserves the support of the football community’

A Somali referee, who was set to become the first person from his country to officiate at a World Cup, has been denied access to the United States, according to reports.

Omar Artan is alleged to have been refused entry to the US at Miami International Airport this past weekend, despite having a valid travel visa.

Continue reading...
African (ORG) Omar Artan (PERSON) US (LOCATION) World Cup (EVENT) Somalian (ORG) Somali (ORG) a World Cup (EVENT) the United States (LOCATION) Miami International Airport (LOCATION)
Originally published by The Guardian Sport Read original →

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