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Somali referee denied U.S. entry for World Cup after 11-hour questioning
🇬🇷 Greece /Sports

Somali referee denied U.S. entry for World Cup after 11-hour questioning

From Ta Nea · () Greek

Translated from Greek, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • A 34-year-old Somali referee was denied entry to the United States for the World Cup after an 11-hour questioning session.
  • US Customs and Border Protection stated he was deemed inadmissible due to security screening issues.
  • The referee believes his nationality played a role in the decision, expressing deep disappointment.

Omar Artan, a 34-year-old referee from Somalia, saw his lifelong dream of officiating at the World Cup crumble just days before the tournament's start. He was denied entry into the United States, the host nation, after arriving in Miami.

Artan underwent an extensive 11-hour screening process by U.S. authorities. Following the interrogation, he was placed in a holding area before being informed he had to return to Europe. He received no clear explanation for the decision.

I am very, very disappointed. I am just a referee trying to live my dream, my biggest dream in life, to go to the World Cup. I had the right documents and everything. I had the right visa.

— Omar ArtanThe Somali referee expressed his disappointment after being denied entry into the United States.

"I am very, very disappointed. I am just a referee trying to live my dream, my biggest dream in life, to go to the World Cup. I had the right documents and everything. I had the right visa," the Somali referee told The Times.

Following screening, the traveler, a World Cup referee, was deemed inadmissible due to security screening issues and denied entry.

— U.S. Customs and Border ProtectionThe agency explained the reason for denying the referee entry into the United States.

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency stated, "Following screening, the traveler, a World Cup referee, was deemed inadmissible due to security screening issues and denied entry."

However, Artan suspects his nationality was a significant factor. "I think they have a problem with my country," he stated, conveying his bitterness over the premature end to his World Cup aspirations.

I think they have a problem with my country.

— Omar ArtanThe referee suggested his nationality might have influenced the decision to deny him entry.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Ta Nea in Greek. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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