Fifa to pay Somali referee Artan full World Cup fee despite denied US entry
6 reported
Somali referee Omar Artan, who was denied entry to the United States to officiate at the World Cup, will still receive his full tournament fee from Fifa, according to sources cited by BBC Sport. Artan was interrogated for 11 hours by US immigration authorities at Miami International Airport on Monday before being told he would not be allowed into the country after his diplomatic passport and single entry US visa were rejected. A US government official said Artan had not been allowed to enter because of an alleged "association with suspected members of terror organisations." Artan said he had been questioned over his links to Somali militant group Al Shabab and told border officials he knew nothing about the organisation. After being put back on a plane to Turkey, Artan received assistance from Fifa officials in Istanbul before boarding a flight to the Somali capital Mogadishu. Despite taking no part in the World Cup, Fifa has committed to paying his salary, though referees do not know the actual fee until after the tournament. Artan has since been invited to officiate the Uefa Super Cup between Paris St-Germain and Aston Villa in Salzburg, Austria on 12 August.
What’s reported
Omar Artan was denied entry to the US to officiate at the World Cup after an 11-hour interrogation at Miami International Airport.
A US government official cited an alleged "association with suspected members of terror organisations" as the reason for denial.
Artan said he was questioned about links to Al Shabab and told officials he knew nothing about the group.
Fifa has committed to paying Artan his full tournament fee even though he will not officiate at the World Cup.
Artan has been invited to officiate the Uefa Super Cup on 12 August in Salzburg, Austria.
Artan is the 2025 Confederation of African Football (Caf) men's referee of the year.
Key figures
Omar Artan: Somali referee, 2025 Caf men's referee of the year
US government official (not named)
Fifa officials (not named)
Sources: BBC News
