White House bars Somali referee from World Cup
Andrew Giuliani has defended the decision to bar Somali referee Omar Artan from entering the United States, branding him a “bad actor” with concerning connections, reports BritPanorama.
The executive director of the White House’s Task Force for the World Cup revealed that the official had been communicating with suspicious individuals regarding potential activities on American soil. “There are some things that we can’t talk about,” Giuliani told talkSPORT, noting, “he’s the only referee, he’s the only non-Irani official, that has been banned from coming into the country for this tournament.”
Giuliani added, “He was talking to some bad people, very recently, about actions here in the United States.” Artan had been poised to make history as the first Somali official to take charge of a World Cup match, having been selected among seven African referees representing the Confederation of African Football.
His journey came to an abrupt halt at Miami International Airport last weekend, where he was subjected to an 11-hour immigration interview despite holding valid travel documentation. Following further hours of detention, authorities placed him on a return flight to Istanbul. FIFA subsequently confirmed his removal from the tournament’s officiating roster, stating it holds no authority over host nation immigration matters and that American authorities had indicated Artan’s status would remain unchanged.
When journalists questioned whether his remarks implied Artan possessed terrorist connections despite holding a valid American visa, Giuliani deferred to official channels. “Again, I go back to what CBP has said about this,” he responded. “What I’ll say is, from my seat, it was absolutely the right decision and I stand by it.”
The White House official outlined President Trump’s broader position on tournament visitors, explaining that while the administration wished to embrace those genuinely seeking to enjoy the competition, it would not permit the sporting event to serve as cover for those with malicious intent. UEFA has since responded by appointing Artan to officiate the Super Cup final, where Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain will meet Europa League victors Aston Villa in Salzburg on 12 August.
UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin praised the official’s credentials, stating: “Omar Artan is an excellent young but already experienced referee, who has proven himself at the highest competition level of the Confederation of African Football.” Ceferin added: “Football is made to connect people, and UEFA wants to show its respect to Omar and his outstanding officiating skills, which had earned him such a prestigious nomination.”
Upon his return to Somalia, Artan received a hero’s welcome from supporters, illustrating the complex intersection of sport and international relations, and how talent can occasionally clash with the stringent realities of geopolitics.
