Why was referee Omar Artan not allowed in US for World Cup?

REFEREE Omar Artan was at the centre of huge controversy during the World Cup. The Somali official was banned from entering the United States and axed from the tournament. Omar Artan was banned from entering the US for the World Cup Credit: Getty Artan will now take charge of the Super Cup clash between PSG and Aston Villa Credit: AP Artan’s denial caused global outrage, but Fifa president Gianni Infantino urged critics to “chill”. The 34-year-old was then handed the chance to referee the Super Cup between PSG and Aston Villa by Uefa. Sign up for the Football newsletter Thank you! Why was referee Omar Artan banned from entering the United States? A statement from Donald Trump’s administration said upon an investigation they found “derogatory information, including association with suspected members of terror organisations“. Artan had secured a visa and diplomatic passport but was denied entry. He later revealed he was subjected to an 11-hour immigration interview and was not told the reason for his ban before being sent home. Artan told the New York Times: “I am very, very disappointed. “I had the right papers and everything. I had the right visa. “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.” Most read in Sport What has been said ahead of the Super Cup? On his appointment for the PSG versus Aston Villa game, Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin said: “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. “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.” African Football president Dr Patrice Motsepe, added: “Omar Artan has made Somalia and the entire people of the African Continent, extremely proud. “His receipt of the CAF Men’s Referee of the Year Award 2025 and his appointment as a referee of the Fifa World Cup 2026 are a recognition of his world-class refereeing ability and the international respect that he enjoys. “I am very thankful to my friend, Aleksander Ceferin for enabling Omar Artan to officiate the UEFA Super Cup 2026 match. “This is a great honour for Omar Artan and for African referees and is also an excellent example of football, bringing together and uniting people from Africa and Europe and worldwide.” Comment now