The United States denied entry to Somali football referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan over the weekend, preventing him from becoming the first Somali official to referee at a World Cup.
FIFA said on Monday that Artan would be unable to train or officiate at the tournament, which begins on Thursday, after US authorities refused him entry into the country.
“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,” a FIFA spokesperson said.
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