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Fifa drops Somali referee from World Cup after US denies entry (www.middleeasteye.net)

submitted 2 months ago by cm0002@europe.pub to c/world@quokk.au

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Football governing body Fifa has removed Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan from the 2026 World Cup officiating roster after American authorities denied him entry into the country, ending what would have been the first World Cup finals appearance by a Somali match official.

Artan, the Confederation of African Football's men's referee of the year in 2025, was barred from entering the US at Miami International Airport and is currently in Turkey.

US immigration authorities have not publicly provided a reason for the decision.

In a statement, Fifa said Artan would be unable to participate in the tournament after discussions with US authorities.

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[–] WhatAmLemmy@lemmy.world 21 points 2 months ago (2 children)

[–] homesweethomeMrL@lemmy.world 3 points 2 months ago

That is goddamned brilliant

[–] Xerxis@lemmy.ca 1 points 2 months ago

"Oh! So that's how you blackmail Trump"

[–] expatriado@lemmy.world 11 points 2 months ago

they could have switched him with referees on Mexico's matches

[–] homesweethomeMrL@lemmy.world 11 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

Guys I’m starting to think this FIFA thing is some fuckin’ bullshit