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Referee denied U.S. entry for World Cup was talking to 'very bad people,' official claims

From CBS News · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • A Somali referee, Omar Artan, was denied entry into the U.S. and barred from officiating at the World Cup, a decision defended by a White House official.
  • Andrew Giuliani, the White House's World Cup task force director, stated Artan was communicating with "very bad people" and cited classified information as justification for the ban.
  • The U.S. administration has yet to provide evidence for claims of Artan's association with terror organizations, despite him being selected for other major soccer events post-deportation.

A Somali referee selected to officiate at the World Cup was denied entry into the United States and subsequently deported, a decision that a top White House official has defended. Andrew Giuliani, executive director of the White House's World Cup task force, told CBS News that Omar Artan was denied entry because he was "talking to some very bad people" shortly before his arrival in the U.S.

In the case of the referee there, he was talking to some very bad people right as he was coming to the United States.

— Andrew GiulianiThe White House official explained the justification for denying entry to the Somali referee.

Giuliani cited classified information, which he could not disclose, as the basis for the U.S. government's action. He stated that while the specific details of the alleged communication cannot be discussed, it occurred immediately before Artan's planned entry into the United States. An administration official had previously informed CBS News that Customs and Border Protection officers found "derogatory information" during Artan's vetting, including alleged associations with suspected members of terror organizations.

Despite these claims, the administration has not yet released evidence to substantiate these findings. Artan, who had completed all necessary visa paperwork, was one of only 52 referees chosen by FIFA to officiate matches in the tournament co-hosted by the U.S., Mexico, and Canada. His deportation has raised questions, especially since UEFA, the governing body for European soccer, later selected him to officiate the European Super Cup final.

There's some classified information we can't discuss now. At some point, that may be released.

— Andrew GiulianiGiuliani alluded to sensitive information that prevented further details about the referee's alleged contacts.

Giuliani also confirmed that a few World Cup players have been referred for secondary inspection at American airports. He noted that some players might not have been allowed entry into the U.S. if not for their participation in the World Cup, indicating ongoing scrutiny of individuals associated with the event. FIFA had previously stated it conducted a three-year vetting process for all World Cup referees.

The official said that information included 'association with suspected members of terror organizations.'

— Administration OfficialA U.S. administration official provided details on the 'derogatory information' found during the referee's vetting process.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by CBS News in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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