The head of the US World Cup task force is asked why Omar Artan was denied entry.
He says people communicating with bad actors planning harm against the US wont be admitted
He's then asked, was Artan communicating with bad actors & who were they?
He says he can't talk about it
When one of the most respected referees in world football is refused entry by the host nation, because they don't like his home country, the correct response of the other referees should be to boycott the tournament unless he is allowed to do his job. Sadly, that won't happen.
Somali referee Omar Artan received a warm welcome as he returned back to Mogadishu airport in Somalia after he was turned away by US authorities ahead of the World Cup…👏
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.
Somali referee Omar Artan, who was set to be the first from his country to officiate at the World Cup finals, has been denied entry to the United States.
Omar Artan didn’t just make the #FIFAWorldCup, he made history as the first Somali referee to get there, and as #Africa’s best. That milestone stands no matter what. So sorry to see this, Omar. You reached the summit of your profession and inspired a generation back home just by getting there, and being kept off the pitch you earned doesn’t change that. This won’t be the end of your story on the world stage. The world stands with you as one family, wishing you resilience now and many more major finals to come. Solidarity. #Somalia
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
He is only 33 years old. This is the biggest moment of his career. He’s probably been waiting for it for months.
But who will talk about it? There are 48 teams, hundreds of players, and representatives from all over the world. Who will finally speak up?