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Andrew Giuliani is the executive director of the White House's Task Force for the FIFA World Cup -Credit:Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images
Banned World Cup referee Omar Artan has found himself at the center of mounting controversy after being accused of "talking to bad people," with the White House reinforcing its position.
Artan, who was set to become the first Somali referee to work at a World Cup, was turned away at Miami International Airport last weekend despite possessing valid travel documentation.
FIFA has since confirmed he has been dropped from its roster of tournament officials. The governing body said it was powerless to intervene in the situation, stating it 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," via The Mirror US.
- FIFA release statement after Somali referee turned away at US border
- Trump administration denies World Cup referee entry over terrorism concerns
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Somali referee Omar Artan was turned away at the U.S. border in Miami ahead of the FIFA World Cup -Credit:Buda Mendes - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images
Andrew Giuliani characterized Artan as a "bad actor" and said it was "absolutely" the right call to bar him from entering the United States. Speaking to talkSPORT, the executive director of the White House's Task Force for the World Cup claimed that Artan had been in communication with "bad people" very recently.
"There are some things that we can't talk about," Giuliani said. "What I can tell you, from looking at it, is that he's the only referee, he's the only non-Irani official, that has been banned from coming into the country for this tournament.
"He was talking to some bad people, very recently, about actions here in the United States. I'll leave it at that. I know CBP (U.S Customs and Border Protection) has made a statement on it. What I can tell you from my standpoint, and having seen the information on what he was doing, was that I stand by CBP's decision. It was the right decision.
"What President Trump has been clear on, is he wants to welcome the world that wants to enjoy the World Cup, that wants to participate and be a part of this World Cup here to the United States of America during this incredible tournament. But he's not going to let the guise of a soccer tournament come in and give bad actors a potential opportunity to take action in the United States."
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When questioned further on whether he was implying Artan had potential connections to terrorism despite possessing a valid U.S. visa, Giuliani replied: "Again, I go back to what CBP has said about this. What I'll say is, from my seat, it was absolutely the right decision and I stand by it."
Artan has since been designated to officiate the UEFA Super Cup final, where Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain will face Europa League winners Aston Villa in Salzburg, Austria, on August 12.
The assignment follows his exclusion from the World Cup, where he would have earned up to $100,000 for overseeing group-stage matches.
Notwithstanding this setback, Artan continues to be held in high esteem, having established himself as one of Africa's leading referees. He previously took charge of the second leg of the 2025/26 CAF Champions League final and claimed the CAF Men's Referee of the Year award in 2025.
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