{"id":1140,"date":"2026-06-09T17:36:14","date_gmt":"2026-06-09T17:36:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hawaiimovinginsider.com\/?p=1140"},"modified":"2026-06-09T17:36:14","modified_gmt":"2026-06-09T17:36:14","slug":"world-cup-referee-from-somalia-denied-entry-into-the-us","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hawaiimovinginsider.com\/?p=1140","title":{"rendered":"World Cup referee from Somalia denied entry into the US"},"content":{"rendered":"
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(AP) – Somali referee Omar Artan won\u2019t officiate in the World Cup after being denied entry into the United States.<\/p>\n

Read more Final controlled collapse marks milestone in Aloha Stadium teardown<\/a><\/p>\n

U.S. Customs and Border Protection said Monday that a Somali national who was planning to referee in the World Cup had been denied entry after arriving to Miami International Airport from Istanbul on Saturday. While the CBP statement didn\u2019t mention the person by name, Artan is the only World Cup referee from Somalia.<\/p>\n

FIFA confirmed later Monday that Artan wouldn\u2019t be able to train and officiate at the World Cup, then released a statement on the referee\u2019s behalf.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

\u201cDespite the circumstances, I am in a positive mood and I am focused on the next challenges in my refereeing career,\u201d Artan said in the statement. \u201cI would like to thank FIFA and (the African federation) for all their support and I promise to keep my refereeing levels up as I concentrate on the future. I want to thank the football family for their messages and wish my colleagues all the best success during the World Cup and I look forward to joining them again in future competitions.\u201d<\/p>\n

In its own statement, FIFA said it was not involved in the immigration processes and was informed by authorities that Artan\u2019s \u201cstatus will not be changed at present.\u201d<\/p>\n

Read more Three displaced after battery explosion sparks Waipahu high-rise fire<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cIn line with previous FIFA events, a host government ultimately determines who receives a visa and who is admitted into their country,\u201d soccer\u2019s governing body said.<\/p>\n

CBP issued a release explaining why Artan was denied entry.<\/p>\n

\u201cDuring processing, the traveler underwent additional inspection, a routine part of CBP\u2019s inspection process when officers need to verify information or determine admissibility,\u201d CBP said in its statement. \u201cFollowing inspection, the traveler, a referee for the FIFA World Cup, was determined to be inadmissible due to vetting concerns and was denied entry.\u201d<\/p>\n

CBP noted that all travelers seeking entry into the U.S. \u2014 including athletes, coaches and staff \u2014 are subject to CBP inspection and vetting.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdmissibility determinations are made on a case-by-case basis using law enforcement, national security, and immigration information available at the time of inspection,\u201d the CBP statement said. \u201cCBP officers have the authority to question travelers, conduct inspections, and determine admissibility consistent with U.S. law.\u201d<\/p>\n

Read more First Alert Forecast: Breezy winds persist today, lighter winds with spotty showers due tomorrow<\/a><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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