Somali referee denied entry to US days out from start of World Cup

Somali referee Omar Artan has been denied entry into the United States, preventing him from officiating at the World Cup.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) confirmed that a Somali national, identified as Artan, was denied entry after arriving at Miami International Airport from Istanbul on Saturday. The CBP statement indicated that the traveler underwent additional inspection, a standard procedure when officers need to verify information or determine admissibility.

"Following inspection, the traveler, a referee for the FIFA World Cup, was determined to be inadmissible due to vetting concerns and was denied entry," the CBP statement read. CBP emphasized that all individuals seeking entry, including athletes and staff, are subject to inspection and vetting based on available law enforcement, national security, and immigration information.

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Following inspection, the traveler, a referee for the FIFA World Cup, was determined to be inadmissible due to vetting concerns and was denied entry.

This decision comes shortly after Iran accused the U.S. of denying visas to "integral" members of its national football team's backroom staff. U.S. officials stated that visas had been issued to all players and necessary support staff, but Iran's embassy in Türkiye alleged "politically biased interference in sport."

Iranian state-linked media reported that 15 administration officials, including the head of the football federation, were among those denied entry. The article also notes a previous incident where a friendly match between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Chile was canceled due to health concerns over the Ebola outbreak, raising questions about entry for individuals from affected countries.

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Admissibility determinations are made on a case-by-case basis using law enforcement, national security, and immigration information available at the time of inspection.