FIFA to Pay Full World Cup Fee to Somali Referee Omar Artan Despite US Entry Denial

By Akpo Esco

Somali referee Omar Artan will still receive his full World Cup officiating fee from FIFA, even after US immigration authorities denied him entry into the United States.

Artan was held for 11 hours at Miami International Airport on Monday. US officials rejected his diplomatic passport and single-entry visa, and later refused him entry over an alleged “association with suspected members of terror organisations.”

During questioning, Artan said border officials asked him about links to Somali militant group Al-Shabab. He told them he knew nothing about the group.

“I had the right papers and everything. I had the right visa,” Artan said. “I’m just simply a referee who’s trying to live his dream, the biggest dream of my life, to come to the World Cup.”

After being sent back on a flight to Turkey, FIFA officials assisted him in Istanbul before he boarded a flight to Mogadishu, Somalia.

Sources at BBC Sport confirmed that although Artan will not officiate at the tournament, FIFA has committed to paying his full tournament salary. World Cup referees are usually paid their fees after the competition ends, and the exact amount is not disclosed before the tournament.