Somali referee Omar Artan was denied entry into the United States after getting selected to officiate at the World Cup, and Ian Wright has taken aim at FIFA
Ian Wright has taken aim FIFA’s World Cup organisation after Somali referee Omar Artan was denied entry into the United States.
Artan was set to become the first from his country to officiate at a World Cup and was selected as one of 52 referees for the tournament. However, after being denied entry to the United States, world governing body FIFA confirmed he will now be removed from its roster. And Wright took to Instagram to post a video in which he highlighted other incidents that have occurred in the build-up to this summer’s tournament that is taking place in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
He said: “I have just read that the Somalian referee has been denied entry. Every few hours it’s another story. Another story about fans denied, players denied, officials denied, journalists denied now refs? You know something? I’m laughing, but it’s not funny. It’s actually not funny, something has to be said.
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“Expensive tickets, most expensive tickets ever, expensive accommodation, transport through the roof. It has to be said. Is this how the hosts behave for the greatest game? The greatest tournament in the world, is this how the hosts behave? How are we not hearing more?
“Are we not seeing Qatar got dragged? How are we not hearing more? Is this the spirit of football? Really? You know who I feel for? I feel for the American fans who are desperate for this.
“American soccer fans who are desperate for this and how embarrassed they must be. How embarrassing for them must this be. This is you know what this is, this is the World Cup of chaos.
“Whoever wins this World Cup is going to have to go through some serious chaos to get this done. I hope we can do it. But something has to be said man. This is the World Cup.”
Artan was turned away at Miami International Airport over the weekend despite possessing valid travel documents. And a FIFA spokesperson confirmed on Monday: “FIFA can confirm that match official Omar Abdulkadir Artan will be unable to train and officiate at the FIFA World Cup 2026 after he was denied entry into the United States.
“FIFA is not involved in host country immigration processes, including visa adjudications, and has been informed by authorities that Mr Artan’s status will not be changed at present.
“In line with previous FIFA events, a host government ultimately determines who receives a visa and who is admitted into their country.”