World Cup Referee Barred from U.S. Over Somalia Terror Links
A Somali World Cup referee was denied U.S. entry over suspected Al Shabaab links, preventing him from officiating tournament matches in North America.
Omar Abdulkadir Artan, aged 33, was detained for eleven hours at Miami International Airport by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers upon arrival, according to Breitbart News. The referee had been selected to officiate at World Cup games scheduled to take place in Canada, the United States, and Mexico.
U.S. officials confirmed that Artan was barred from entering the country due to association with suspected members of a terror organization, specifically Al Shabaab. U.S. Africa Command has identified Al Shabaab as the largest, wealthiest, and most lethal Al Qaeda affiliate, describing the group as posing the greatest danger to American citizens and interests in East Africa and representing a direct threat to the United States.
Artan, who has held official status with FIFA since 2018, has reportedly denied any connections to Al Shabaab. However, U.S. officials maintain there are substantial grounds to question his denials.
Andrew Giuliani, executive director of the White House FIFA Task Force, defended the decision to turn Artan away. Giuliani stated there is a very good reason the referee was returned to Somalia, expressing support for the determination made by customs and border patrol officials. He emphasized that anyone communicating with bad actors will not be admitted to the United States.
President Trump has implemented a temporary ban on visitors and immigrants from Somalia, which has been designated a terrorist safe haven where Muslim terrorists plan, facilitate, and conduct operations. The White House has also identified Somalia as a destination country for individuals worldwide seeking to join terror networks.
Artan has maintained that all his paperwork and visas were in proper order, suggesting that American authorities have a problem with his country rather than with him personally.
Somalia’s Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khair expressed deep disappointment over the incident. The Prime Minister asserted that Artan represents not only Somalia but also the aspirations of millions of young Africans who believe excellence should be recognized on the world stage.
The denial of entry comes amid ongoing concerns about Somali migrants involved in large-scale fraud operations targeting U.S. taxpayers. Hundreds of billions of dollars have been stolen through fraudulent childcare and healthcare companies operating in states including Minnesota, Ohio, and New York. In Minnesota specifically, dozens of Somali migrants have faced charges in the Feeding Our Future scandal, with some already convicted and others still facing trial.
The World Cup is scheduled to begin on June 11 and will run through June 19, with matches held at venues across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
With information from Breitbart News
