Eby, Chow compete to out-welcome Somali referee with suspected terror group ties
U.S. authorities denied entry to Somali referee Omar Artan over suspected terrorism ties, prompting Olivia Chow and David Eby to roll out the welcome mat.
While U.S. authorities tighten security ahead of the FIFA World Cup, some left-wing Canadian politicians are rolling out the welcome mat for a Somali referee denied entry over alleged terror group ties, saying he should still be allowed to officiate in Canada.
Omar Artan, named Africa’s top referee in 2025 and one of 52 officials selected by FIFA, arrived in Miami on Saturday but was denied entry after an 11-hour interrogation, despite holding a diplomatic passport and a single-entry visa.
