Somali referee denied entry to U.S. to officiate in World Cup

NEW YORK, June 9 — A Somali referee due to officiate in the FIFA World Cup has been denied entry to the United States, according to an official from his country’s sports ministry.

Omar Artan, among the 52 referees designated by FIFA for the tournament which kicks off on Thursday, was set to be the first Somali referee to take charge of a game at the World Cup.