FIFA President urges calm as Somali referee deported over security concerns
The US State Department confirmed the referee’s exclusion was due to associations with suspected terrorist organisations, despite his valid diplomatic credentials.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has called for critics to remain calm following the deportation of Somali referee Omar Artan from the United States. The incident occurred prior to the World Cup launch, with Artan subjected to an 11-hour interrogation at Miami International Airport before being expelled from the country.
Artan, who held both a diplomatic passport and a valid visa, was refused entry by US officials who accused him of having links to terrorist organisations in Somalia. The US State Department later confirmed that the refusal of entry was based on security concerns regarding Artan’s associations with suspected members of such groups.
During a press conference addressing the matter, Infantino described the incident as “unfortunate” but emphasised that FIFA does not control US visa or immigration policies. He urged stakeholders to maintain perspective, noting that the governing body lacks jurisdiction over the immigration decisions of host nations.
The deportation of Artan is part of a broader pattern of entry denials and visa restrictions affecting international delegates ahead of the tournament. These administrative hurdles have contributed to wider controversies surrounding the World Cup launch, including disputes over ticket pricing and other visa-related issues.
Compounding the administrative tensions, a fabricated letter alleging that Dutch legend Ruud Gullit called for Infantino’s resignation over “World Cup immigration chaos” was circulated recently. Gullit has since denied authoring the letter, which cited the visa restrictions and entry denials as evidence of leadership failures.
Infantino has previously defended the tournament’s ticket pricing and visa policies ahead of the opener. However, the exclusion of Artan, who was set to officiate at the event, highlights the ongoing friction between sporting logistics and national security protocols.
