Omar Artan was denied entry and grilled for 11 hours at Miami International Airport despite holding a valid visa
Africa’s top referee has been given a hero’s welcome at home after being branded a terror threat and booted out of the US World Cup by Donald Trump.
Somali Omar Abdulkadir Artan was due to make history as the first referee from his country to officiate at the tournament after being selected by FIFA.
But he was denied entry and grilled for 11 hours at Miami International Airport despite holding a valid visa.
Officials claimed he had links to “suspected members of terror organisations”.
Artan arrived back in Somalia yesterday where he was greeted by cheering supporters, government officials and journalists.
Pictures showed the ref being handed flowers and draped in a huge Somali flag after landing in Mogadishu.
Vowing not to let the setback derail his career, he said: “I will continue to work hard and I won’t get discouraged.
“I promise you that in the next World Cup I will go much further and make history.”
The row sparked outrage in Somalia, where Artan’s appointment had been hailed as a major moment for the nation.
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director general of the World Health Organization, backed the referee.
He said: “Omar Artan didn’t just make the World Cup, he made history as the first Somali referee to get there, and as Africa’s best.
“That milestone stands no matter what.”
A White House official said Artan was refused entry after officials uncovered information linking him to “suspected members of terror organisations”.
Artan has denied any wrongdoing and previously said he knew nothing about the extremist group Al-Shabab when questioned by US authorities.