MOGADISHU — Somali international referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan has reportedly been denied entry into the United States, where he was expected to officiate matches at a FIFA tournament.
According to sources familiar with the matter, Artan was turned back upon arrival at Miami International Airport and is currently in Turkey after being refused entry by U.S. immigration authorities.
The referee had traveled on a Somali diplomatic passport and was officially seen off in Nairobi by officials from the Somali Embassy in Kenya before departing for the United States.
Sources close to Artan said he was deeply disappointed by the development, having been selected to participate in an international football event under FIFA’s arrangements.
The specific reason behind the decision by U.S. authorities has not yet been publicly disclosed. Neither the U.S. government nor FIFA has issued an official statement regarding the incident.
The development comes amid ongoing scrutiny of U.S. immigration policies affecting nationals from several countries, including Somalia. Recent measures announced by the administration of President Donald Trump have imposed travel restrictions on citizens from a number of countries, raising questions about whether the decision may be linked to those policies.
However, no official confirmation has been provided connecting Artan’s case to the travel restrictions, and the circumstances surrounding his denial of entry remain unclear.
Further details are expected as authorities and relevant football bodies respond to the incident.
