Former England player Gary Neville criticises a reported decision to ban a Somali referee from the World Cup, calling it “ridiculous.” Multiple sources say the issue is part of a wider set of controversies highlighted as ITV begins World Cup coverage, with a visa problem identified as the central concern around the referee’s eligibility to officiate.
The reports frame Neville’s comments as part of his broader reaction to how football events and officials are being handled in the run-up to the tournament, including questions about access and administrative decisions affecting participation. While the outlets differ in wording and emphasis, both focus on Neville’s stance and on the Somali referee’s situation being used as an example of pre-tournament disruptions.
One account also includes Neville’s view that the “land should be given to world of football” during the tournament, presented as a call for the sport to be supported more broadly during the event. The two articles largely agree on the existence of the visa-related controversy and Neville’s criticism, but provide limited additional verified detail about the underlying decision-making process.
