FIFA President Gianni Infantino has addressed the controversy surrounding Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan, who was denied entry to the United States ahead of officiating the 2026 World Cup opening match. Speaking to reporters in Mexico, Infantino described the incident as unfortunate but emphasized that FIFA has no control over national immigration or visa policies. He urged critics to remain calm and trust that FIFA is working behind the scenes to resolve the issue.
Infantino clarified that his earlier remarks about staying calm did not mean FIFA was inactive, stressing that the organization is seeking a positive solution within the limits of international regulations. He noted that major tournaments like the World Cup require coordination with various national policies and political realities. The FIFA president expressed hope that some positive news would emerge soon.
Somalia’s government has officially expressed regret over the incident and pledged to continue engaging with relevant parties to protect its citizen’s rights. A U.S. official defended the entry restrictions, citing the need to ensure security during the tournament.
স্পোর্টস ডেস্ক প্রকাশ : ১১ জুন ২০২৬, ১২: ১৮আপডেট : ১১ জুন ২০২৬, ১২: ২৭ বিশ্বকাপের উদ্বোধনী ম্যাচ পরিচালনার জন্য যুক্তরাষ্ট্রে গিয়ে প্রবেশের অনুমতি না পাওয়া সোমালিয়ান রেফারি ওমর আবদুলকাদির আর্তানকে ঘিরে তৈরি হওয়া বিতর্কে মুখ খুলেছেন ফিফা সভাপতি জিয়ান
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