US rolls up welcome mat, referee banned from World Cup despite Fifa promises
Omar Abdulkadir Artan turned away by immigration officials. Fifa president Gianni Infantino previously said ‘everyone will be welcome’
After subjecting Iraq striker Aymen Hussein to a seven-hour interrogation, and denying entry to the entire Iran team except for matches, the United States has now banned referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan from attending the World Cup.
Artan, who had been expected to be the first Somali to officiate at a World Cup match, will not be able to train or take charge of a game at the tournament after being turned away at the border over the weekend, a Fifa spokesman said on Monday.
In a statement, the world governing body said it was “not involved in host country immigration processes, including visa adjudications”.
Authorities told Fifa that Artan’s status would “not be changed at present”. The official reportedly had a valid visa.
The Somali is just the latest in an increasingly long line of officials, players and fans who have received a less than warm welcome by the United States, despite assurances last year from Fifa president Gianni Infantino to the contrary.
Speaking after a meeting of the Confederation of African Football (Caf) in Kenya, Infantino, who has a close relationship with US President Donald Trump, said Fifa wanted to “unite the world and we will unite the world next year”.