google-site-verification: googlec7193c3de77668c9.html

World Cup 2026: Banned referee Artan arrives home in Somalia

Artan, who was named the Confederation of African Football (Caf) men’s referee of the year in 2025, was one of 52 referees selected for the tournament.

However, his “dream” came crashing down as he attempted to travel to the on-pitch officials’ base in Florida, with Artan telling the New York Times, external he had faced an 11-hour immigration interview and was detained for several hours before put on a flight back to Istanbul, Turkey.

Speaking to BBC World Service, Andrew Giuliani, who leads the White House Task Force on the World Cup, said: “While I can’t go into the derog [derogatory information] on that I can tell you it was the right decision by customs and border patrol and I support that decision.”

It was not possible for Artan to stay outside the United States and referee matches played in Canada or Mexico, with all on-pitch officials based in Florida for training, preparation, and security.

Trump placed a full entry ban under any visa category for 12 countries, including Somalia, in June 2025.

Two days before the World Cup draw in December 2025, Trump drew widespread attention for comments made about Somalia in the lead up to a planned immigration enforcement operation in Minnesota, which has a large Somali community.

“With Somalia, which is barely a country, you know, they have no anything,” he said.

“They just run around killing each other. There’s no structure.”

He added that Somali immigrants should “go back to where they came from” and that the US would “go the wrong way if we keep taking in garbage to our country”.

On arriving home, Artan urged Somalia’s youth not to lose hope in their country in the face of his treatment, stating: “Let’s all defend Somalia’s honour. We all belong to Somalia whether it’s bad or good.

“That flag is ours and so is the passport – let’s defend it.

“The youth shouldn’t be demoralised about their country. Despite this happening to me, I’ll still standing for my nation.

“I want to continue my journey from here and urge the youth the same.”


Source link

Views: 2

See also  Liverpool confirm Champions League spot with draw against Brentford

Check Also

Scotland at World Cup 1982: Jock Stein, David Narey, Brazil & being a cartoon character

18 June, Seville. (Narey 18) Scotland 1-4 Brazil (Zico 33, Oscar 48, Eder 63, Falcao …

Ben Davies: Tottenham defender signs new one-year contract

Experienced Tottenham Hotspur defender Ben Davies has signed a new one-year contract until the end …

'I designed football shirts for World cup winners'

Rob Warner created Italy’s royal blue kit in which they lifted the trophy in 2006. …

Leave a Reply

Available for Amazon Prime
Chaveiro 24 horas na vila ema.