FIFA confirm Omar Abdulkadir Artan can’t officiate at the World Cup after being denied entry into the United States.
The Somali referee is one of Africa’s 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 Trump’s administration.
🗣️ “FIFA 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.
“In line with previous FIFA events, a host government ultimately determines who receives a visa and who is admitted into their country.”
Ian Wright is an absolute hero for saying how we all feel about this World Cup…
“I've just read that the Somalian referee has been denied entry. Every few hours it's another story, another story about fans denied, players denied, officials denied, journalists denied, now refs," Wright said.
"You know something I'm laughing but it's not funny, it's actually not funny and something has to be said.
"The expensive tickets, the most expensive tickets ever, expensive accommodation, transport through the roof. It has to be said.
"Is this how the hosts behave really for the greatest game, the greatest tournament in the world, is this how the hosts behave?
"Are we not hearing more? Are we seeing how Qatar got dragged, are we not hearing more? Is this the spirit of football, really?
"You know who I feel for? I feel for the American fans who are desperate for this, American soccer fans who are desperate for this, how embarrassed they must be. How embarrassing for them this must be.
"This is the World Cup, this is a World Cup of chaos. Whoever wins this World Cup is going to have to go through some serious chaos to get this done.
"I hope we can do it, but something has to be said now. This is the World Cup."
@AFCKong I find his success at Arsenal odd, because he acted the same way when he coached for Atlanta United. But he was run out of town in Atlanta because he lost the locker room with his antics
🗣️ Jens Lehmann to David Raya on the Champions League final: “Do us a favour & play 90 minutes, do NOT get sent off! If you win it, you are giving something back to the fans which we couldn’t. I didn’t deliver because I got sent off.” ❌🟥
Martin Odegaard: "Honestly, I can't describe it. It was so special. A lot of emotions and a lot of hard work behind it. So emotional, but a beautiful day and an amazing achievement.
"You always have the doubt and the fear that you're not going to make it but we had that belief in ourselves and even in the toughest moments this season we really stuck together.
"We had that belief. We just kept on fighting and we got there in the end, so even better like that."
Declan Rice: “I remember my mum took me to Barclays bank in Kingston when I was nine or ten. I queued up & got a picture with the Premier League trophy. It was my dream to win the Premier League & now it’s a full-circle moment because I’ve done it.” ❤️🏆