| Somali Ref Barred From US 08:43 - Jun 9 with 34371 views | TwoHalves |
Referee Omar Artan, who was set to become the first person from his country to officiate at a World Cup, has been denied access to the US and will not work at the tournament.
Just the latest example of a despicable regime in action. Gotta feel for the fellow.
https://www.theguardian.com/fo |  | | |  |
| Somali Ref Barred From US on 12:55 - Jun 9 with 2415 views | daveB |
| Somali Ref Barred From US on 12:51 - Jun 9 by Juzzie |
Possibly but that would be giving in. I understand he had all the correct visa's etc so they should be honoured..... sorry, 'honored'. |
I agree they should but it seems mad to leave him at home when they could let him work in Mexico or Canada |  | | |
| Somali Ref Barred From US on 12:57 - Jun 9 with 2414 views | aston_hoop |
| Somali Ref Barred From US on 12:29 - Jun 9 by daveB |
Can he not do the games in Mexico and Canada instead? |
All the refs have to be based in Florida for some reason, regardless, so they can't do it.
Sounds like a replacement is going to be on the way there as the US don't seem to want to back down on this one. Refs should go on strike in solidarity really |  |
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| Somali Ref Barred From US on 13:06 - Jun 9 with 2338 views | Juzzie |
| Somali Ref Barred From US on 12:55 - Jun 9 by daveB |
I agree they should but it seems mad to leave him at home when they could let him work in Mexico or Canada |
Maybe he hasn't got he appropriate visas for those countries as he could have potentially only have been assigned to officiate in the US and there wouldn't be enough time to sort them out.
Either way, it just illustrates the nasty, toxic, approach there is in the US.
For a country that was founded on immigration they sure as hell seem to hate it. [Post edited 9 Jun 13:08]
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| Somali Ref Barred From US on 13:07 - Jun 9 with 2330 views | PinnerR |
| Somali Ref Barred From US on 12:57 - Jun 9 by aston_hoop |
All the refs have to be based in Florida for some reason, regardless, so they can't do it.
Sounds like a replacement is going to be on the way there as the US don't seem to want to back down on this one. Refs should go on strike in solidarity really |
Yes, this explains the Mexico/Canada thing, Still doesn't explain why they didn't let him through in the first place.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/fo |  | | |
| Somali Ref Barred From US on 13:12 - Jun 9 with 2286 views | robith |
| Somali Ref Barred From US on 10:30 - Jun 9 by BrianMcCarthy |
Same here.
Right now, I'm 50/50 about watching it at all.
I'm trying to stay interested, but it's really, really difficult. |
I didn't watch Qatar, and honestly it was so so liberating not caring
But it's really broken my connection. I'd usually be so hyped but honestly, i couldn't give a flying shit about it. Mess from top to bottom [Post edited 9 Jun 13:16]
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| Somali Ref Barred From US on 13:22 - Jun 9 with 2217 views | daveB |
| Somali Ref Barred From US on 13:12 - Jun 9 by robith |
I didn't watch Qatar, and honestly it was so so liberating not caring
But it's really broken my connection. I'd usually be so hyped but honestly, i couldn't give a flying shit about it. Mess from top to bottom [Post edited 9 Jun 13:16]
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I'm looking forward to the football, the circus around it all has been a farce for years | | | |
| Somali Ref Barred From US on 13:28 - Jun 9 with 2170 views | Paddyhoops |
| Somali Ref Barred From US on 13:12 - Jun 9 by robith |
I didn't watch Qatar, and honestly it was so so liberating not caring
But it's really broken my connection. I'd usually be so hyped but honestly, i couldn't give a flying shit about it. Mess from top to bottom [Post edited 9 Jun 13:16]
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Pretty much feel the same as that .Its bent from top to bottom.
They’re not even hiding the fact anymore. | | | |
| Somali Ref Barred From US on 13:48 - Jun 9 with 2099 views | CateLeBonR |
I was watching the BBC news earlier and the reporter described him as Africa’s number one refu… referee. Almost said refugee oh dear. Will be on ‘Have I got news for you’ later this week no doubt. |  | | |
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| Somali Ref Barred From US on 14:42 - Jun 9 with 1994 views | E17hoop |
| Somali Ref Barred From US on 10:49 - Jun 9 by lassel |
Apparently they did and claim it was an overzealous border agent who denied him. He’s there now. |
Nope.
"Fifa can confirm that match official Omar Abdulkadir Artan will be unable to train and officiate at the Fifa World Cup 2026 after he was denied entry into the United States," read a statement.
"Fifa is not involved in host country immigration processes, including visa adjudications, and has been informed by authorities that Mr Artan's status will not be changed at present.
"In line with previous Fifa events, a host government ultimately determines who receives a visa and who is admitted into their country."
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/fo |  |
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| Somali Ref Barred From US on 15:02 - Jun 9 with 1918 views | EuroRanger |
| Somali Ref Barred From US on 12:29 - Jun 9 by daveB |
Can he not do the games in Mexico and Canada instead? |
Edit: Had a brain fart and realise that I've just repeated what was said above. Ignore me 🙃
According to the Beeb he can't stay at the central training facility in Miami and is therefore not allowed to work the tournament. Fifa have basically abandoned the geezer and the American government are arguing it was the correct decision.
What a mess.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/fo [Post edited 9 Jun 15:08]
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| Somali Ref Barred From US on 15:05 - Jun 9 with 1913 views | hoopedmonkey |
| Somali Ref Barred From US on 14:42 - Jun 9 by E17hoop |
Nope.
"Fifa can confirm that match official Omar Abdulkadir Artan will be unable to train and officiate at the Fifa World Cup 2026 after he was denied entry into the United States," read a statement.
"Fifa is not involved in host country immigration processes, including visa adjudications, and has been informed by authorities that Mr Artan's status will not be changed at present.
"In line with previous Fifa events, a host government ultimately determines who receives a visa and who is admitted into their country."
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/fo |
I can see a slew of visa withdrawals easing the USA's way to the cup final where the Uzbekistan fall guys triumph against all odds. | | | |
| Somali Ref Barred From US on 15:08 - Jun 9 with 1888 views | BazzaInTheLoft |
| Somali Ref Barred From US on 15:02 - Jun 9 by EuroRanger |
Edit: Had a brain fart and realise that I've just repeated what was said above. Ignore me 🙃
According to the Beeb he can't stay at the central training facility in Miami and is therefore not allowed to work the tournament. Fifa have basically abandoned the geezer and the American government are arguing it was the correct decision.
What a mess.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/fo [Post edited 9 Jun 15:08]
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This is a country that bans the import of Kinder Eggs but not guns.
It is no surprise they have banned the entry of a African referee but not African white supremacists. |  | | |
| Somali Ref Barred From US on 15:33 - Jun 9 with 1829 views | colinallcars |
| Somali Ref Barred From US on 15:08 - Jun 9 by BazzaInTheLoft |
This is a country that bans the import of Kinder Eggs but not guns.
It is no surprise they have banned the entry of a African referee but not African white supremacists. |
Dear Jesus…. |  | | |
| Somali Ref Barred From US on 15:40 - Jun 9 with 1817 views | kensalriser |
It's deliberate, performative racism. |  |
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| Somali Ref Barred From US on 16:19 - Jun 9 with 1744 views | R_from_afar |
Eons ago, when I was working for a US tech company, head office announced that the US based CEO was coming to the UK for a series of meetings and presentations. One of the latter was on the US' very strict international trading policy.
Attendance was mandatory so in we all trooped for what promised to be a narcolepsy inducing session.
Desperately fighting the urge to completely switch off - like 99% of the attendees, the session was irrelevant to me - something jump-started my semi-conscious noggin: They had put up a slide categorising countries, with the final two categories being "Countries we can only trade with under exceptional circumstances" and "Countries we cannot ever trade with".
Well, would you believe it, one country - North Korea from memory - was in both columns  . Hold the front page, an interesting thing just happened.
My hand shot up, with me thinking that while it was sure to be a typo, at least our little office had shown some interest in head office's borefest.
"Oh, we know it's in both categories," said the presenter, "but it's not a typo, that's what's in the official guidelines".
Wow, just wow  . |  |
| "Things had started becoming increasingly desperate at Loftus Road but QPR have been handed a massive lifeline and the place has absolutely erupted. it's carnage. It's bedlam. It's 1-1." |
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| Somali Ref Barred From US on 16:32 - Jun 9 with 1700 views | colinallcars |
I also worked for a US company. They sent a woman over from the US to “performance manage” me, well not just me, others as well.
The meetings were at 7am, and you had to demonstrate how you've added value. I nearly had a nervous breakdown. BUT.. I'm not anti US. My niece worked there for some years, I visited and enjoyed. | | | |
| Somali Ref Barred From US on 16:43 - Jun 9 with 1678 views | kensalriser |
| Somali Ref Barred From US on 16:32 - Jun 9 by colinallcars |
I also worked for a US company. They sent a woman over from the US to “performance manage” me, well not just me, others as well.
The meetings were at 7am, and you had to demonstrate how you've added value. I nearly had a nervous breakdown. BUT.. I'm not anti US. My niece worked there for some years, I visited and enjoyed. |
What a bunch of crap. They employed you, it's up to them to determine how you add value. If you can answer that question and your manager can't, you should switch positions. | |
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| Somali Ref Barred From US on 16:49 - Jun 9 with 1659 views | Sonic_Hoop |
| Somali Ref Barred From US on 15:33 - Jun 9 by colinallcars |
Dear Jesus…. |
Jesus wouldn't get in either.
"New figures released by the State Department’s Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration reveal that the U.S. has accepted 5,948 refugees into the country for the year to date, all of whom are from South Africa." And white. |  | | |
| Somali Ref Barred From US on 17:46 - Jun 9 with 1555 views | colinallcars |
| Somali Ref Barred From US on 16:49 - Jun 9 by Sonic_Hoop |
Jesus wouldn't get in either.
"New figures released by the State Department’s Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration reveal that the U.S. has accepted 5,948 refugees into the country for the year to date, all of whom are from South Africa." And white. |
Fair enough….if that's true it doesn't read well.
But there's an anti American tenor on here.
We are the country that elected Boris Johnson with a big majority and for the most part is run like a whelk stall. | | | |
| Somali Ref Barred From US on 17:46 - Jun 9 with 1557 views | derbyhoop |
| Somali Ref Barred From US on 15:33 - Jun 9 by colinallcars |
Dear Jesus…. |
Without wanting to get political, the USA has granted between 6500 and 7000 asylum claim. 99% to white South Africans.
Sorry, that is an update on earlier post.
The Iranian team will be based in Tijuana, Mexico, although their 3 games are all in the States. On arrival, Each player was sporting a lapel badge with 168 on it. Representing the girls who died when the USA bombed a school in Iran.
[Post edited 9 Jun 17:53]
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| "Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the Earth all one's lifetime." (Mark Twain)
Find me on twitter @derbyhoop and now on Bluesky |
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| Somali Ref Barred From US on 17:50 - Jun 9 with 1544 views | BazzaInTheLoft |
| Somali Ref Barred From US on 17:46 - Jun 9 by colinallcars |
Fair enough….if that's true it doesn't read well.
But there's an anti American tenor on here.
We are the country that elected Boris Johnson with a big majority and for the most part is run like a whelk stall. |
You've shit with your trousers on there because Boris Johnson is American. | | | |
| Somali Ref Barred From US on 18:02 - Jun 9 with 1512 views | Lblock |
This World Cup is shaping up to be an absolute farce - feeling it as the premium tournament less and less and less every four years.
That aside, and the only things I've read about this ref are here, I'm not surprised.
Unless you're crossing the desert from Mexico, the USA immigration / border force are notoriously tough and mental. Everytime I've been I've been quaking and I've been a lot of times.
It's not been mentioned as it's so far detached from a Ref going to a tournament it's unreal but.... I'm sure most people are aware that areas of the USA have a huge issue with Somalian based fraud. The scams run into $Billion$.
This is no more than a performative headline stunt to say to future entree atttempts - "We are tough"
Not helping the FIFA image one bit and it's madness. |  |
| Cherish and enjoy life.... this ain't no dress rehearsal |
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| Somali Ref Barred From US on 18:06 - Jun 9 with 1508 views | OakR |
I'd quite like it if all the refs said they won't ref the games until he is allowed in. It used to be, and I think probably still is a condition of hosting that you let all officials, players etc in. It won't happen but it would be lovely if teams, players, offioials boycotted this.
I live in hope that one day Nations will break away from FIFA and we can reset, for a while anyway. | |
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| Somali Ref Barred From US on 18:10 - Jun 9 with 1499 views | Silverfoxqpr |
| Somali Ref Barred From US on 13:12 - Jun 9 by robith |
I didn't watch Qatar, and honestly it was so so liberating not caring
But it's really broken my connection. I'd usually be so hyped but honestly, i couldn't give a flying shit about it. Mess from top to bottom [Post edited 9 Jun 13:16]
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I'm so torn with 'the beautiful game' these last few years. Love our club and pay close attention to the Championship but that's where it ends sadly.
I just can't muster up any enthusiasm for International Football anymore and this WC is the final nail in the coffin for the various reasons pointed out above. Just back from a lads golf trip in Portugal and the others were all of the same opinion. Maybe its a 'bloke in their 50's' issue and have just grown tired of all the noise. |  | | |
| Somali Ref Barred From US on 18:18 - Jun 9 with 1477 views | lassel |
| Somali Ref Barred From US on 14:42 - Jun 9 by E17hoop |
Nope.
"Fifa can confirm that match official Omar Abdulkadir Artan will be unable to train and officiate at the Fifa World Cup 2026 after he was denied entry into the United States," read a statement.
"Fifa is not involved in host country immigration processes, including visa adjudications, and has been informed by authorities that Mr Artan's status will not be changed at present.
"In line with previous Fifa events, a host government ultimately determines who receives a visa and who is admitted into their country."
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/fo |
Yeah it was reported earlier that he had arrived there now before being updated that he wouldn’t take part. | | | |
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