Urban Rurarization

Democracy Advocate...

[African @ali_naka]

Without African Referees?

[Hassan Mafi ‏ @thatdayin1992]

It's a good time to remind everyone that FIFA is ass.

[Iran Embassy in Indonesia @IraninIndonesia]

As the Persian proverb says: ‘A thief believes everybody steals.’
The worst World Cup host ever.

[TheRealMvitaOne @FauzKhalid]

A disgrace to world football

[African @ali_naka]

A World Cup where African Referees are not allowed?

[Hopewell Chin’ono @daddyhope]

Well done to America’s former First Lady and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton for calling out the Donald Trump regime over its racist blocking of an African referee.

This is nothing more than raw and crude racism. It has turned the World Cup into a sick joke and what is shaping up to be the worst World Cup of the modern era. It is a tournament increasingly overshadowed by exclusion, discrimination, and political interference rather than football.

It is no surprise that stadiums are struggling to fill when the spirit of the game is being undermined in this way.

[African @ali_naka]

In 2026 there were at least 55 incidents of gunfire on school grounds in USA, resulting in 26 deaths and 28 injuries nationally. America is a violent and dangerous country! They must stop harassing African soccer players whose crime is to be black and qualify for World Cup

[Yoko @Kibet_bull]

This is how the US thinks Omar Artan will officiate the World Cup.

[Hend Amry @LibyaLiberty]

The U.S. World Cup in one horrible photo:

[Hopewell Chin’ono @daddyhope]

Well done to former Labour leader and British politician Jeremy Corbyn for calling out America’s racism and exposing the shameful treatment of Somali referee Omar Artan.

Shame on @FIFAcom’s spineless President Gianni Infantino for remaining silent. His failure to speak out against this injustice shows a complete lack of courage and leadership at a time when football’s core values are under attack.

If a FIFA certified referee can be denied entry simply because he is Somali, then the spirit of the World Cup is being undermined. Corbyn is right to call it out for what it is. Racism, plain and simple.

[Hopewell Chin’ono @daddyhope]

This World Cup has become a real sick joke.

FIFA’s own statutes make it clear that politics should not interfere with football. One of the founding principles of the game is that, even when countries are divided by politics, conflict, or ideology, football provides a platform for people to come together, compete fairly, and build bridges across borders.

What Donald Trump has done to this World Cup is deeply embarrassing. It has reached a point where many people no longer see it as a genuine World Cup. Whatever team eventually lifts the trophy, this tournament will forever carry the stain of controversy and exclusion.

What kind of World Cup is it when participating nations face obstacles, their supporters are denied access to ticket allocations, journalists are refused entry, and football officials are prevented from carrying out their duties, yet the world is expected to pretend that everything is normal?

The greatest tragedy is that it has exposed a complete lack of leadership across the world. If genuine leadership existed, more people would have spoken out against what Donald Trump and his racist American regime are doing to countries and people they dislike. A World Cup host nation should welcome the world, not pick and choose who deserves fair treatment based on political preferences.

Football belongs to everyone. It does not belong to MAGA. It does not belong to politicians. It does not belong to governments. It belongs to the fans, the players, the coaches, the journalists, and the communities that make the game the global phenomenon that it is.

At least Canada and Mexico have conducted themselves honourably. The same cannot be said for the racist regime in America, whose actions have damaged the spirit of the tournament and undermined the values football is supposed to represent. The reputational damage being inflicted on America will take years to repair.

What is equally disappointing is the silence of so many influential people, including powerful African figures who have chosen not to speak out. Their silence suggests that personal interests and financial considerations matter more to them than principle. Leadership is not measured by wealth or status. It is measured by the willingness to stand up when something is clearly wrong.

At least New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Arsenal legend Ian Write found the courage to speak out. Many others have remained silent.

Footballers are not politicians. Fans are not politicians. Journalists are not politicians. They should not be punished because of political disagreements between governments.

Why invite the world to a World Cup and then place barriers in front of the very people who make the tournament what it is? Why allow fans to travel and then deny them their ticket allocations?

It is a real sick joke.

[African @ali_naka]

CAF will not lodge a complaint because Motsepe believes Africa loves Trump!

[I.R. Iran in Tunisia🎒(تونس) @IranembTun]

A powerful image of racism in the U.S.

Racism must end. Do you agree?

[Hassan Ali Khaire @HassanAKhaire]

I am deeply disappointed by the news that Omar Artan, Africa’s finest referee and one of the best in the world, may be unable to officiate at the FIFA World Cup due to visa-related circumstances.

Omar has earned his place through talent, hard work, professionalism, and integrity. Having officiated at the highest levels of African and international football, his credentials speak for themselves.

He represents not only Somalia, but also the aspirations of millions of young Africans who believe excellence should be recognized on the world stage.

I remain hopeful that a solution can be found. Football is at its best when it brings people together and celebrates merit, inclusion, and opportunity.

Omar, Africa and the world stand with you.

[Sky News @SkyNews]

A top Somali referee will not officiate at the World Cup after being denied entry into the U.S. due to "vetting concerns".

Omar Artan, who was set to become the first Somali to officiate at a World Cup match, was stopped by U.S. Customs and Border Patrol when arriving in Miami ahead of the tournament.

Sky's @RobHarris reports.

🔗 https://t.co/6K0V8x47qU

[Jeremy Corbyn @jeremycorbyn]

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

[African @ali_naka]

Gianni Infantino is a moron!

He has ruined the beautiful game

[Sky News @SkyNews]

World Cup referee blocked from entering US https://t.co/sPw2Zv7vZj

[Hopewell Chin’ono @daddyhope]

Thank you, Ian Wright, for speaking out against what is shaping up to be the worst FIFA World Cup in modern history and for highlighting how Donald Trump’s America has demeaned the beautiful game of football.

It is sad that FIFA President Gianni Infantino has shown so little courage and independence, choosing instead to remain silent while football is dragged into the politics of exclusion and discrimination.

Where are the big African names who have remained quiet while Africans are being belittled by this racist regime in America? Did you see how the Senegalese World Cup team was treated on arrival, Africa’s top referee denied entry, and fans, journalists, and at times coaches denied entry?

I am not surprised that it took an Arsenal great like Ian Wright to speak out publicly. In a world where too many of the powerful and influential are consumed by self-interest, it is refreshing to see principled people like Ian Wright stand up and speak when it matters most, rather than cower in silence.

Football is supposed to unite people across borders, races, and cultures. Those who claim to lead the game should be defending those values, not looking the other way when they are under attack.

This is what FIFA President Gianni Infantino said on 9 March 2017.
“Any team, including the supporters and officials, who qualify for a World Cup need to have access to the country, otherwise there is no World Cup. That is obvious.”

Yet today, he is remarkably and comically quiet while fans, officials, coaches, journalists, and even referees face barriers and restrictions. What changed? The principle seemed clear enough in 2017.

It is disappointing to see someone who once spoke so firmly about equal access to the World Cup now appear unwilling to defend those same values. Leadership is tested when it is inconvenient, not when it is easy. Silence in the face of discrimination and exclusion is not leadership.

[African @ali_naka]

Show me another Picture of a Team subjected to this humiliation!

Fuck @FIFAcom