Link: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/jun/08/top-african-referee-omar-artan-refused-access-to-the-united-states

Omar Artan was going to be the first Somalian to officiate at a World Cup but was refused entry at Miami airport despite a valid travel visa

A fedi thread is kinda like a rally I guess?

Somali officials called for the football community to rally in support of Artan. “Omar Artan is among Africa’s most respected referees and deserves the support of the entire football community,” said Ciise Aden Abshir, a senior adviser to Somalia’s Ministry of Youth and Sports and a former national team captain, in a statement first shared with Agence France-Presse.

“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.”

Did they even give a reason for denying him?

…racism?

Yes that's obvious but they normally have a different official reason... His signature didn't match his passport... Well smelled an odor similar to the devil's lettuce... On his passport he say 6'1" but he's actually 6'2" so it's invalid..