Somali referee Omar Artan has described being denied entry to the United States and missing the 2026 FIFA World Cup as a “very tough period” ahead of his historic appointment to officiate the UEFA Super Cup between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa on Wednesday.
The 34-year-old was among the referees selected by FIFA for the World Cup, but was turned away at Miami International Airport shortly before the tournament began after being refused entry into the United States.
Read Also: Omar Artan: U.S. denial ended my World Cup dream
Artan opens up on World Cup disappointment
Reflecting on the experience, Artan said the disappointment was difficult to overcome after years of preparation for the tournament.
“It was a very tough period,” Artan said in an interview published on UEFA’s website.
“A lot of people have sympathy for me, because when someone has been working for a lot of years and is supposed to do something and then can’t do it, it’s very challenging.”
A U.S. State Department official said at the time that Artan was “associated with suspected members of terrorist organisations”, making him ineligible to enter the country.
Artan rejected the allegations, while his treatment sparked widespread anger in Somalia, where he received a hero’s welcome after returning home.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino also expressed sympathy for the referee, saying: “It is unfortunate what happened to the referee from Somalia.”
UEFA hands Artan major opportunity
UEFA subsequently offered Artan an opportunity to officiate…
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Read Full Article by Anthony Nlebem at businessday.ng
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