A Somali referee slated to officiate at the FIFA World Cup is denied entry into the United States and will not take part in the tournament. Multiple outlets report that the official was turned back at Miami International Airport by U.S. immigration authorities. According to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) spokesperson, the referee is “determined to be inadmissible due to vetting concerns,” and entry is refused without further explanation. CBS News and other reports similarly cite vetting concerns as the basis for denial. FIFA is described as unable to overturn the decision, with one outlet stating the matter rests with the U.S. co-host and its entry determination. As a result, the referee’s World Cup assignment does not proceed, and he is unable to reach the tournament. The outlets do not provide additional details about the specific vetting issues or any appeals process, and FIFA does not publicly elaborate on the reasons for the refusal.
Somali FIFA World Cup referee denied entry to U.S., misses tournament debut
A Somali referee slated to officiate at the FIFA World Cup is denied entry into the United States and will not take part in the tournament. Multiple outlets report that the official was turned back at...
- U.S. authorities deny entry to a Somali referee scheduled to officiate at the FIFA World Cup.
- The referee is turned back at Miami International Airport ahead of the tournament.
- U.S. officials cite “vetting concerns” and determine the referee is inadmissible.
- The refusal means the referee will miss his World Cup assignment or debut.
- FIFA is described as having limited or no ability to influence the U.S. entry decision.
He was denied entry at Miami International Airport on Saturday due to "vetting concerns"
3 hours agoThe World Cup referee from Somalia who was denied entry to the United States after arriving in Miami and subsequently dropped from the tournament by FIFA had been set to make history for his country
13 hours agoA Somali referee who was set to become the first from his country to officiate at a World Cup has been denied entry to the United States.
17 hours ago‘In line with previous FIFA events, a host government ultimately determines who receives a visa and who is admitted into their country,’ said FIFA
18 hours ago
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