Referee Omar Artan returns to Somalia after US denies entry

Referee Omar Artan has returned to Somalia after being denied entry to the United States for the World Cup, according to Somali football officials. Artan arrived in Mogadishu on Wednesday following a lengthy journey from Djibouti.

The referee was barred from traveling to the US in June due to his alleged association with suspected members of terrorist organizations, as stated by a US official. Artan had been scheduled to officiate at matches during the tournament.

Background

Artan, who gained international recognition as a referee, has not publicly commented on the allegations. The Somali Football Federation expressed support for him, calling for a fair investigation into the matter.

• Artan was initially denied a visa to enter the US.
• His name appeared on a list of individuals flagged by US security agencies.
• The World Cup matches he was assigned to were reassigned to other referees.

The incident has raised concerns about the impact of security screenings on international sports officials. No further details on the alleged links have been disclosed.