๐ Referee announced for 2026 #SuperCup!
We're pleased to share that Somali referee Omar Artan will officiate the highly anticipated match between PSG and Aston Villa in Salzburg.
As a World Cup host, the U.S. shouldn't be flippantly barring officials from entering the country to do their jobs.
It's terribly backward.
It's also counterproductive.
Global sports competitions should improve international exchange and relations, not the reverse.
๐จJUST IN: Somali Referee Abdulkadir
Artan:
"I'm just simply a referee who's trying to live his dream, the biggest dream of my life, to come to the World Cup. I had the right papers and everything.โ
FIFA confirm Omar Abdulkadir Artan canโt officiate at the World Cup after being denied entry into the United States.
The Somali referee is one of Africaโs most respected officials. Somalia's Ministry of Youth and Sports say Artan travelled with a valid US visa.
Yet Somalia is on a travel ban list introduced by President Trumpโs administration.
๐ฃ๏ธ โFIFA is not involved in host country immigration processes, including visa adjudications, and has been informed by authorities that Mr Artan's status will not be changed at present.
โIn line with previous FIFA events, a host government ultimately determines who receives a visa and who is admitted into their country.โ
What an absolute disgrace. A FIFA-certified referee being denied entry to the United States purely because he is Somali.
The World Cup is meant to bring people together. This is racism, plain and simple. Shameful.
https://t.co/rpSgTmmPU4
We probably deserve another red card for that last post! But in all seriousness, congratulations to @Arsenal on winning the Premier League and a great run in the Champions League.
Looking forward to picking up the battle again with you next season.
Rephrase Alexander usyk retains his ring and heavyweight world titles after a referee helps him and immaturely stops the fight to save boxing's face because he was losing
#usykrico#boxing#dazn