Who is the Somali referee barred from entering the US for the World Cup?
Somali international football referee Mohamed Artan has withdrawn from the World Cup after the United States denied his visa at the last minute, despite FIFA assigning him as a fourth official. According to BBC Africa, Artan said he had valid documents after a three-year visa process. The US State Department said 'each case is considered individually.'
Somali international football referee Mohamed Artan told BBC Africa in a phone interview that he had been assigned as a fourth official at the World Cup and that he had completed the necessary paperwork after a three-year visa process. According to Artan, his visa was denied at the last minute and FIFA was forced to cancel his assignment. FIFA spokesperson Helene Pelosse confirmed that the assignment had been for two group matches and that the cancellation was for administrative reasons.
A US State Department spokesperson said visa applications are 'considered individually case by case' and declined to comment on the specific decision. Somali Football Federation president Abdiqani Said Arab expressed regret and said the situation was a 'deep disappointment' for the Somali football community. Somali Foreign Minister Ahmed Moalim Fiqi delivered a formal note to the US ambassador in Mogadishu.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) called the decision 'an indirect signal regarding the international representation of African football' and called for an urgent continental federation meeting. Artan has accepted, as an alternative, the UEFA Super Cup assignment. This week's incident has reignited debate over US World Cup visa policies.
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