MEXICO CITY: FIFA president Gianni Infantino on Wednesday described as “unfortunate” the case of Somali World Cup referee Omar Artan, who was refused entry to the United States. “It is unfortunate as well what happened to... Omar, the referee from Somalia. But again, we don’t control everything,” Infantino said at a press conference on the eve of the tournament. “We try always to find solutions, but then we need to respect that we are not the kings of the world who can rule over governments and police forces, we are a sports organization,” he added.

Award-winning Somali referee Omar Artan, set to be the first from his country to officiate at the World Cup finals, was denied entry to the United States, a sports ministry…

Somali referee Omar Artan has been denied entry to the United States for the World Cup.