A United States official has alleged that Somali referee Omar Artan has ties to individuals suspected of involvement in terrorist organizations, a claim that reportedly led to his denial of entry into the country ahead of the FIFA World Cup.
As per Arise News, the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to visa privacy regulations, made the allegation on Tuesday but did not provide any evidence or additional details to support the claim.
Artan, who was poised to become the first Somali referee to officiate at a FIFA World Cup, was stopped upon arrival at Miami International Airport on Saturday despite possessing a valid US visa.
The US Customs and Border Protection agency initially stated only that he had been denied entry because of unspecified “vetting concerns.”
About the Author
