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FIFA has been advised to pay compensation worth thousands of euros to referee Omar Artan after he was barred from entering the United States for the 2026 World Cup. Artan was set to become the first Somali referee to officiate at a World Cup.
However, his entry into the country was refused, with the world football governing body confirming that it will not intervene in the case. The situation generated a wave of criticism, with several football figures expressing their discontent.
Keith Hackett, former head of PGMOL (the organization that manages professional referees in England) and former FIFA referee, argues that the organization should financially compensate Artan. Speaking to Football Insider, Hackett suggested the pay should be equivalent to what the Somali referee would earn at the tournament.
“This seems so unfair, depriving a young referee of the opportunity to officiate at a World Cup. The path to the top is incredibly difficult, and this referee has developed a career that has seen him overcome challenges and reach the elite level,” said Hackett.
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