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Somali referee Omar Artan has been denied entry into the United States.
It was not immediately clear why Artan was denied entry into the United States at Miami International Airport, although Somalia is among numerous nations on President Donald Trump’s travel restriction list.
“Omar Artan is among Africa’s most respected referees and deserves the support of the entire football community,” Ciise Aden Abshir, a senior advisor to Somalia’s Ministry of Youth and Sports and a former national team captain, told AFP.
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Artan had a valid visa for the US, Abshir said. He has flown back to Istanbul, where he has been staying.
“Denying him entry to the United States and preventing him from officiating scheduled matches harms not only him personally but also undermines football’s commitment to fairness, merit, and the spirit of fair play,” Abshir added.
