What to know
- Somali FIFA referee Omar Artan was reportedly denied entry to the U.S. ahead of the World Cup after being found inadmissible during additional border screening.
- Mayor Olivia Chow criticized the decision, saying Artan had earned his place at the tournament and would be welcome to officiate matches in Toronto.
- Somalia is among the countries affected by U.S. travel restrictions introduced under President Donald Trump.
- Reactions online were divided, with some praising Chow’s comments and criticizing the U.S. decision, while others argued immigration and border decisions fall under federal jurisdiction rather than municipal government.
People are reacting online after Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow said a Somali referee who was impeded from entering the U.S. for the World Cup would be welcome in the city.
Omar Artan, the only Somali referee appointed by FIFA for the tournament, was reportedly found inadmissible by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) on Monday.
According to media reports, Artan underwent “additional inspection” as part of the CBP’s protocols, but was denied entry due to “vetting concerns.”
Somalia is one of the countries listed in the U.S. President Donald Trump’s travel ban, published last year, which posed significant limitations for travellers from specific nations. The document fully restricts and limits entry of nationals from 12 countries, including Somalia.
Mayor Olivia Chow weighs in
As Toronto prepares to receive its first World Cup match on Friday, Chow has commented on the incident, criticizing the U.S. border service for barring Artan’s entry.
“Denying entry to Omar Artan, who has earned his place on the world stage through hard work and perseverance, is not right,” she said in a statement shared with Now Toronto.
The mayor also declared that Artan would be welcome to come to the city as a referee for the event, and said she will be letting FIFA know he could be moved to the event in Toronto.
Toronto believes in fairness, inclusion, and giving talent the opportunity to shine. He would be welcomed to referee here in our city,” she added.
Mayor’s comments spark reaction
Reactions to Chow’s comments are popping up online, with many agreeing with the mayor in criticizing the U.S. for not admitting the referee.
“He’s considered a top flight ref, and reffed all over Europe. We all knew America was an embarrassment,” one person said on Reddit.
“They should move more games here. This is an embarrassment on the USA, and a chance for Canada to gain more matches. A top tier referee being denied entry to the USA to ref games on account of race, what an embarrassing country they’ve become,” another person suggested.
“Don’t organize a World Cup if the world cannot see it…If you think your national security is at risk, transfer the right to another country to do so,” a different Redditor added.
On the other hand, some criticized the mayor’s remarks, pointing out that the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is responsible for allowing visitors into the country.
“That’s weird. I thought something like determining who is allowed into the country would be the job of the federal department of immigration. Turns out it’s the mayor of Toronto,” one person sarcastically said.
“You don’t run either Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), or Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), Mayor Chow. You can make all the performative signals that anyone is welcome in Toronto you like, but it is definitely not your call,” a different person added.
