Sports
Barred 2026 World Cup Referee Omar Artan Speaks Out as FIFA Issue Statement
FIFA have released a statement after Omar Artan, who was set to become the first Somali to referee at a World Cup finals, was controversially denied entry to the United States.
US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) confirmed on Monday that Artan, the 2005 Confederation of African Football (CAF) men’s referee of the year, “was determined to be inadmissible due to vetting concerns and was denied entry”.
The match official, who has officiated at the Africa Cup of Nations, was barred from entering the USA at Miami International Airport and is currently in Turkey.
Per BBC Sport, US immigration authorities have not provided a reason for denying Artan’s admission into the USA. However, Somalia is one of several countries on a travel ban list imposed by President Donald Trump’s administration.
In December 2025, per BBC News, Trump described Somalia as “about the worst country in the world”.
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FIFA Release Statement
Football’s world governing body FIFA have confirmed Artan will now miss this summer’s showpiece international tournament after speaking to US authorities.
“FIFA can confirm that match official Omar Abdulkadir Artan will be unable to train and officiate at the FIFA World Cup 2026 after he was denied entry into the United States,” the statement reads.
“FIFA 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.
“In line with previous FIFA events, a host government ultimately determines who receives a visa and who is admitted into their country.”
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Artan Issues Statement
Meanwhile, Artan has spoken out after being turned away from the United States, days before the tournament gets underway. Mexico and South Africa kick the 2026 World Cup off on Thursday night. The tournament will conclude with the World Cup final in New Jersey on July 19.
“Despite the circumstances, I am in a positive mood and I am focused on the next challenges in my refereeing career,” Artan said, per Sky News correspondent Rob Harris.
“I would like to thank FIFA and CAF for all their support and I promise to keep my refereeing levels up as I concentrate on the future.
“I want to thank the football family for their messages and wish my colleagues all the best success during the World Cup and I look forward to joining them again in future competitions.”
Sports
Arsenal ‘Make Calls in Recent Days’ to Sign Newcastle Star Sandro Tonali
Arsenal may have won the Premier League in the 2025/26 season, but they are now pushing to add more quality to their squad and find a way to improve.
The Gunners are expected to refresh their side after a successful campaign that saw them reach two cup finals, including the Champions League, as well as ending their 22-year title drought, with a number of arrivals and departures expected as a result.
Midfield is believed to be one position that will be targeted in particular, and Fabrizio Romano has now shared that they are making moves behind the scenes to get a big deal done.
Arsenal Make Calls to Sign Sandro Tonali
Speaking in his latest YouTube video, Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Arsenal have made calls to sign Newcastle United star Sandro Tonali in recent days.
The north London side were strongly linked with a move for the Italy international in the January transfer window following an injury suffered by Mikel Merino, but a deal didn’t materialise and Tonali instead stayed at St James’ Park.
However, after the Magpies missed out on European football by finishing 12th, he is now expected to leave, with Newcastle putting a huge £100m asking price on his head. But that hasn’t put Arsenal off, and they have been making some moves to see if they can get a deal done.
“As of today, Tonali could be an option for Manchester City, but their focus is on Elliot Anderson, another player really appreciated also by Man United, who are still monitoring the situation, and Sandro Tonali could be an option for more clubs,” he said.
“Arsenal made some calls over the recent days for Tonali, so Arsenal are also in the mix. There could be more clubs joining the race for Tonali. Remember, there could be more clubs, so the situation around Sandro Tonali could become interesting.”
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World Cup History Quiz
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£100m Tonali Move on the Cards
Newcastle know that some players are expected to move on this summer, and despite selling Anthony Gordon to Barcelona already, Tonali is expected to depart.
A number of clubs are showing an interest in the 26-year-old, who has been described as a ‘superstar’, but Arsenal feel they are in a strong position to get a deal done after being crowned champions of England.
Alongside Declan Rice, Martin Zubimendi, Myles Lewis-Skelly, and Merino, Tonali would be stepping into a squad ready to compete on all fronts once again, and he could be the difference between being runners-up and champions again.
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Sports
Tottenham Working to Sign Player Better than Van Hecke
Tottenham have wasted no time since the end of the season in making sure they have a squad ready to compete next season, as Fabrizio Romano reports on a fourth signing being worked on by the Lilywhites in a matter of weeks.
After narrowly avoiding Premier League relegation, Roberto De Zerbi called for improvement in the team with investment to be made in the summer transfer window.
Quick deals have been on the cards, as Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi agreed moves on a free transfer, to help improve the squad from the start.
Then there’s been an ongoing saga with Jan Paul van Hecke, as Tottenham have made two bids for the defender, with expectations being that a third will be sent to Brighton soon.
While they are all exciting deals in their own right, Spurs may be closing in on another deal that could be even more exciting.
Savinho To Tottenham Excitement
Fabrizio Romano recently reported that Tottenham have revived their interest in Manchester City winger Savinho, after failing to land the forward last summer.
He claims that there are no issues expected between the player and Spurs when it comes to his desire to join, as well as the personal terms.
It remains to be seen whether an agreement can be reached with Man City over a final fee, but it’s a move that signals even more progression for the Lilywhites.
While Van Hecke may be an exciting move, Savinho may be even better, due to the improvement he could bring to the forward ranks this summer.
Tottenham have been waiting for someone to take the left-wing role as their own ever since Heung-min Son left the club, with none of the current players able to cement the position as theirs.
In Savinho, Tottenham could have their long-term replacement in a star who has plenty of quality and trickery now, as well as room to grow further in the future.
While the team needs an uplift in defence, one of the main criticisms over the past year has been how boring the side has been to watch when they’ve been struggling.
Adding a player who has that creative spark, that drive to change a game, should bring some excitement back to Tottenham that is so desperately needed.
While there are doubts over whether Savinho can add some end product to his game, fans only need to look towards Pep Guardiola for a glowing review of the star.
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Pep Guardiola On Savinho Quality
There are few who can judge players quite as well as Guardiola, and he gave quite the review of Savinho last year when reflecting on the winger at Man City.
“He [Savinho] is a player with incredible potential,” the manager said. “We cannot forget he is so young. He needs to make more decisive actions in the final third… The moment he makes this step…. He will be an extraordinary player.”
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Much of that assessment is still true today, a player who has quality now, but needs that extra step to become one of the best in his position for the future.
If De Zerbi can add that to his game at Tottenham, he could be the next superstar at the club.
Sports
Man Utd In Talks to Sign £85m ‘Superstar’ After Ederson
Manchester United are pushing forward in their hunt for more summer transfer additions after completing an agreement to sign Ederson from Atalanta, according to Fabrizio Romano.
The Red Devils sealed a £38m agreement for the Brazilian last week, who will now travel to the World Cup as a late addition to the squad, meaning a five-year deal will be signed once he returns in July and undergoes a medical.
But Man Utd are not stopping there, and have already begun to make moves for their next signing, with the reliable Romano sharing an update on who the next man to come through the entrance at Old Trafford could be.
‘Next One Could Be’ Mateus Fernandes for Man Utd
Man Utd have been strongly linked with a number of midfield signings in recent months, but one name that has emerged near the top of the list is West Ham star Mateus Fernandes.
Fernandes, who has been described as a ‘superstar’, is expected to leave the Hammers in this transfer window after they were relegated to the Championship. But the east London club have slapped a big asking price on his head, and Romano has taken to his YouTube channel to share a big update on the situation.
“I can tell you something on the West Ham midfielder,” he said.
“There is a lot of clubs interested in him, but really a lot of clubs in England. Rumours of Real Madrid in Spain, and more. For sure, I can guarantee two things. The first one, Manchester United are in direct conversations with the agents of Mateus Fernandes.
“Manchester United made contact over the last 48 hours with the agents of the player, and Manchester United started the conversation about the eventual cost of the deal, transfer fee, but also salary. So, United started the conversation with those close to Mateus Fernandes.
“The price decided by West Ham for Mateus Fernandes, according to my information, is £85m. West Ham wants £85m to let Mateus Fernandes leave the club in the summer transfer window. He will leave for sure, because he’s not a player for the Championship, but West Ham are very clear on the price.
“So, let’s follow the situation, and let’s see who is going to pay what West Ham wants. Manchester United are very interested in the player. So, after Ederson, which is already done, the next one could be him.”
Fernandes Has Given Man Utd Priority
Fernandes has got plenty of interest from around Europe, but it has been reported that he wants to move to Old Trafford to play alongside his idol Bruno Fernandes, and he has already given his priority to Man Utd.
Club-to-club talks have already been opened, but United have absolutely no interest in paying the exorbitant asking price as things stand. However, there is confidence an agreement will be found, as West Ham need to raise funds through player sales, and all parties want this deal to happen.
United are active in the market and are making their moves in the background, now it seems that they could be closing in on their second arrival.
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