Washington (Sports Desk): Somali referee Omar Aran, who was travelling in connection with the FIFA World Cup, has been denied entry into the United States.
A consultant to Somalia’s Ministry of Sports told the French news agency that the award-winning referee Omar Aran was prevented from entering the United States for the tournament, where he was scheduled to officiate matches during the World Cup.
According to Somali officials, Omar Aran was the first referee to represent the country in the FIFA World Cup, and his participation was considered an important milestone for Somali football.
Officials have expressed concern over the decision, saying that preventing him from fulfilling his scheduled duties is not only a personal setback but also against the spirit of sport and international football regulations.
It was further stated that this move has also affected Somalia’s representation at the global level.