FIFA to compensate Somali referee deported by US authorities before officiating
FIFA is set to pay compensation to Somali match official Omar Artan, who was detained and deported by United States immigration authorities in Miami before he could officiate any matches, the global football governing body has confirmed.
Artan, a referee recognised by FIFA, was scheduled to work fixtures tied to a FIFA-organised competition held on US soil. According to officials familiar with the matter, he was held by US Customs and Border Protection officials for approximately eleven hours at Miami International Airport before being placed on a return flight to Somalia.
Detention and deportation
The Somali Football Federation said Artan travelled with the correct documentation required for international match officials, including a valid passport and confirmation letters from FIFA. Despite this, he was reportedly subjected to repeated questioning before being informed that his entry into the United States had been refused.
His removal meant that Artan never took charge of a match during the tournament window, leaving the official match schedule to be reorganised at short notice by the FIFA referee committee.
FIFA’s response
FIFA has acknowledged the disruption caused to the official and has agreed to cover the financial losses associated with the trip, including travel costs, per diem allowances and a supplementary payment reflecting the professional impact of the missed assignments. A spokesperson for the organisation said the governing body was reviewing procedures to better support match officials facing cross-border travel complications.
Broader implications
The case has drawn attention to the vulnerability of African sports officials travelling to the United States on short-term assignments, where visa and entry processes can vary. The Confederation of African Football has previously raised concerns about the treatment of its delegates at US ports of entry, particularly during major tournaments.
For Artan, the episode brings an abrupt halt to what had been a rising international career. The Somali federation has said it will continue to nominate him for upcoming FIFA-listed matches, pending confirmation that he will be able to enter the host countries without incident.
Source: Africanews — read the original report.
