Somali referee Omar Artan to be paid full World Cup fee after US entry refusal
Euronews reports that Somali referee Omar Artan will receive his full World Cup fee from FIFA even though he was unable to officiate after the United States refused him entry. The decision has reignited debate over visa policy and sports diplomacy.
According to Euronews, FIFA has confirmed that Somali referee Omar Artan will receive his full agreed fee for the World Cup. Artan was unable to officiate any matches during the tournament after the United States refused him entry.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said the rule applies to "all referees who wanted to perform their duty but faced external obstacles". The Somali Football Federation welcomed the decision and thanked the international sporting community.
Artan will officiate at the UEFA Super Cup. The decision has put the spotlight on the position of African referees in international tournaments and on the impact of visa policy on sport.
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