Fifa to Pay Omar Artan Full World Cup Fee After 11-Hour US Detention
Updated
Updated · BBC.com · Jun 14
Fifa to Pay Omar Artan Full World Cup Fee After 11-Hour US Detention
3 articles · Updated · BBC.com · Jun 14
Summary
Fifa will pay Somali referee Omar Artan his full World Cup fee even though he will not officiate after US authorities denied him entry at Miami airport.
11 hours of questioning ended with Artan being put on a flight to Turkey after officials rejected his diplomatic passport and single-entry visa, citing alleged links to suspected terror organisations.
Artan, 34, said he had the correct documents and denied any knowledge of Al Shabab; Fifa staff then assisted him in Istanbul before he returned to Mogadishu.
The 2025 Caf men's referee of the year has since been invited to handle the Uefa Super Cup on 12 August and says he still aims to work the 2030 World Cup.