In a significant setback for Somali referee Omar Artan, he will not be officiating at the World Cup due to being denied entry into the United States. This decision was confirmed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) on Monday, following Artan's arrival at Miami International Airport from Istanbul on Saturday. Although the CBP did not identify him by name, it is widely known that Artan is the sole referee representing Somalia at this prestigious event.
FIFA later corroborated the news, stating that Artan would be unable to participate in training or officiate during the World Cup. In a heartfelt statement, Artan expressed his determination to maintain a positive outlook despite the unfortunate circumstances. He conveyed his gratitude towards FIFA and the African football federation for their support and reiterated his commitment to uphold his refereeing standards while focusing on future opportunities. Artan also extended his best wishes to his fellow referees participating in the World Cup, expressing hope to join them in upcoming competitions.
FIFA clarified that it played no role in the immigration decisions, indicating that it was informed by relevant authorities that Artan's status would remain unchanged for the time being. The governing body of soccer emphasized that the host nation ultimately decides on visa approvals and entry permissions for individuals.
In a detailed statement, CBP outlined the reasons behind Artan's entry denial. They noted that during standard processing, Artan underwent additional inspections, a common procedure when officers need to verify travel information or assess admissibility. Ultimately, he was deemed inadmissible due to vetting concerns, which led to the decision to deny him entry into the country.
CBP further explained that all individuals seeking entry into the U.S., including athletes, coaches, and staff, are subjected to thorough inspections and vetting processes. Determinations regarding admissibility are made on a case-by-case basis, utilizing law enforcement, national security, and immigration data available at the time of inspection. CBP officers retain the authority to question travelers, perform inspections, and make admissibility decisions in accordance with U.S. law.
As reported by fox8live.com.
