Somali soccer referee denied US entry, will miss World Cup debut
The United States has denied entry to soccer referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan, who had been expected to be the first Somali to officiate at a match in the World Cup. A FIFA spokesperson said Artan would not be able to train or officiate at the World Cup — which kicks off on Thursday — after he was not allowed to enter the United States over the weekend. Somalia’s government said it had unsuccessfully tried to negotiate with the US and FIFA so that Artan could enter the country and it was saddened by what had happened. “His international achievements are a source of honour and pride for the Somali people,” Somalia’s sports ministry said in a statement. In a press release issued on Tuesday, the Somali Football Federation (SFF) expressed sadness over the situation, calling Artan’s appointment a milestone for the country that resulted from years of dedication, professionalism and integrity. The SFF said it has not received an official explanation as to why Artan was denied entry t...