US official claims banned referee had links with 'terror organisations'

BBC World NewsUpdated Jun 10, 2026, 2:08 PM

Somali referee Omar Artan was denied entry to the United States because of his "association with suspected members of terror organisations," says a US official.

Somali referee Omar Artan was denied entry to the United States because of his "association with suspected members of terror organisations", says a US official.

The 34-year-old – Africa's referee of the year in 2025 – was set to be the first Somali to referee at a World Cup finals but was denied entry at Miami International Airport on Monday despite holding a diplomatic passport and a single entry US visa.

Somalia is one of 12 several countries on a travel ban list introduced by President Donald Trump.

Artan arrived back in Somalia on Wednesday.

A Trump administration source said: "This individual was seeking admission to the United States. Upon further inspection by CBP [Custom and Border Protection], derogatory information, including association with suspected members of terror organisations, was discovered making the traveller ineligible for admission to the United States under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).

"The traveller was refused admission and given immigration forms that provide the section of law used to complete an expedited removal under 8235 of the INA.

"President Trump's administration will not allow any security threat to enter our country - full stop."

BBC Sport has approached Artan for comment. He told the New York Times , external on Tuesday that he was questioned by border officials over his links to Somali militant group Al Shabab and had told them he knew nothing about the group.

Upon landing at Aden Adde International Airport in Mogadishu, he was greeted by government officials and representatives of the Somali Football Federation, as well as fellow referees and local residents, before meeting president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud at the Presidential Palace.

He was expected to attend a public event at Mogadishu Stadium later on Wednesday afternoon and watch a match between Heegan and Dekadaha.

Artan made a brief statement to the media at the airport, in which he spoke of his determination to officiate at the 2030 World Cup, but did not take questions from journalists.

"I'd like to thank the officials, ministers, MPs and everyone. I want to thank my country and people for their support. The encouragement I received here, I know I'll get more support outside [the airport]," Artan said in words which have been translated into English by the BBC.

"Everything is pre-destined. Fifa supported me well and were in touch with me until I reached Mogadishu.

"I promise you that I'll be officiating you in the next World Cup. Somalia, everywhere, I'm letting you know."

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Artan, who was named the Confederation of African Football (Caf) men's referee of the year in 2025, was one of 52 referees selected for the World Cup.

However, his "dream" came crashing down as he attempted to travel to the on-pitch officials' base in Florida, with Artan telling the New York Times , external he had faced an 11-hour immigration interview and was detained for several hours before being put on a flight to Istanbul, Turkey.

Speaking to BBC World Service, Andrew Giuliani, who leads the White House Task Force on the World Cup, said: "While I can't go into the derog [derogatory information] on that I can tell you it was the right decision by customs and border patrol and I support that decision."

It was not possible for Artan to stay outside the United States and referee matches played in Canada or Mexico, with all on-pitch officials based in Florida for training, preparation, and security.

Trump placed a full entry ban under any visa category for 12 countries, including Somalia, in June 2025.

Two days before the World Cup draw in December 2025, Trump drew widespread attention for comments made about Somalia in the lead-up to a planned immigration enforcement operation in Minnesota, which has a large Somali community.

"With Somalia, which is barely a country, you know, they have no anything," he said.

"They just run around killing each other. There's no structure."

Trump added that Somali immigrants should "go back to where they came from" and that the US would "go the wrong way if we keep taking in garbage to our country".

On arriving home, Artan urged Somalia's youth not to lose hope in their country in the face of his treatment, stating: "Let's all defend Somalia's honour. We all belong to Somalia whether it's bad or good.

"That flag is ours and so is the passport - let's defend it.

"The youth shouldn't be demoralised about their country. Despite this happening to me, I'll still stand for my nation.

"I want to continue my journey from here and urge the youth to do the same."