Simon Jordan’s reaction to referee Omar Artan being denied entry into the United States to officiate the 2026 World Cup has caused huge backlash.

Artan was set to be the first-ever Somali referee in the competition’s history. However, he ‘was determined to be inadmissible due to vetting concerns and was denied entry’ by the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and is currently in Turkey.

Somalia is one of the nations on President Donald Trump’s travel ban list, but an official reason for Artan’s admission being blocked has not yet been provided. FIFA released a statement confirming that the decision would not be overturned, and Artan would indeed be banned from officiating.

Simon Jordan Reacts to Controversial World Cup Decision

Speaking on talkSPORT on Tuesday morning, notoriously outspoken former Crystal Palace owner Simon Jordan gave his view on the controversies surrounding the World Cup.

First, he was asked if he thinks the competition in general feels like ‘a mess’. To which he replied: “Not particularly. It feels like football is becoming a very expensive business and it’s no surprise that the FIFA World Cup is an expensive proposition.

“It’s an opportunity to generate huge amounts of money, hopefully for the best reasons, which is for the infrastructure of sport around the world.”

Jordan then turned his attention to the news that Artan hadn’t been allowed in the country. He was told by the show’s presenter that the referee hadn’t met vetting requirements, prompting Jordan to say:

To add to the controversy in the days leading up to the World Cup kicking off, Iran have claimed the United States have revoked their ticket allocation. Jordan had a strong opinion on that matter:

“The US is at war with Iran. It’s hardly a surprise that you are not going to particularly want Iranian supporters coming into the country despite the proclamation that Infantino was orchestrating and illustrating that we want it to be the most inclusive World Cup it could possibly be.

“There are exceptions. If you don’t meet your visa requirements and if you’re at war with a country, those are possibly reasonable exceptions. You’ve now got a World Cup which is 48 teams rather than 32 so already you’re making it more accessible.”

A significant issue with his words was that Artan did, in fact, have a valid visa to enter the country. That was pointed out by one disgruntled supporter, who posted a strong response on X, saying:

Some believe Jordan’s opinion to be ‘disingenuous’ as he didn’t have the full facts before presenting his opinion. It’s obviously a political decision. He had a diplomatic visa. Trump is having issues with the Somali especially a certain Somali congresswoman. Then to have an opinion after admitting you don’t know why he was rejected is being disingenuous,” one X user said.

He was even accused of ‘showing how out of touch he is with football fans around the world’. Another claimed to be ‘disappointed’ by the opinion the ex-Premier League owner holds: “Simon Jordan yet again being deliberately simplistic when it concerns a matter he doesn’t really care for. Disappointing but predictable.”

Jordan’s position had it been an English referee involved, has also been questioned: “I wonder what his reaction would have been had Qatar barred an English official or even their fans from attending the last World Cup for their known drunk behaviour.”

Manchester United are looking to get a number of transfers done over this upcoming summer window to bolster their squad, but they face stiff competition for their top targets.

Elliot Anderson is believed to be the number one target but prefers a move to Man City, who have already had a formal bid rejected, while a number of other targets are being looked at, including Newcastle star Sandro Tonali.

But after completing a move to sign Ederson from Atalanta as their first arrival of the window, the club are now wary of another deal that they have made progress on being hijacked by Real Madrid.

Jose Mourinho Eyeing Man Utd Hijack

One star being looked at is West Ham’s Mateus Fernandes, with club-to-club talks already opened for the Portuguese star as the club look to further strengthen their midfield.

However, the Hammers have slapped an £85m asking price on his head as they look to cash in on the strong interest in his services, which has seen a move to Old Trafford stall, despite the player giving his priority to the Red Devils.

But United are now showing some concern after it emerged that new Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho has targeted the 21-year-old for his new-look Los Blancos side, with the club looking to rebuild after a second consecutive trophyless season, according to AS (via Sport Witness).

Mourinho believes that Fernandes, who has been described as a ‘superstar’, is someone who can continue to develop into a top midfielder, and he wants him at the Bernabeu despite the fact he has not yet peaked as a player.

Real Madrid have already signed Denzel Dumfries and Ibrahima Konate this summer, while they have made contact with Arsenal over a deal for Riccardo Calafiori, and Enzo Fernandez is also being tracked.

Jorge Mendes Now Involved in Fernandes Talks

REUTERS/Sergio Perez

Jorge Mendes is widely known as one of the top football agents in the world, having represented Cristiano Ronaldo and many other major stars over the years.

He is also the agent of Mourinho and Fernandes, and it’s understood that he is now involved in talks over taking the young midfielder to Spain rather than Old Trafford. West Ham’s asking price is expected to drop as the window goes on, with the player having no interest in playing in the Championship, and that will open the door to more clubs in the race for his signature.

Man Utd have always had a good relationship with Mendes, but with Mourinho and Real Madrid now firmly in the race, they must ensure they can get an agreement in place with player and club as quickly as possible or face missing out on another top target.

Julian Alvarez’s €500million release clause is more complicated than it appears, GIVEMESPORT understands.

The Argentinian international, on duty with his nation at the 2026 World Cup, which starts in Mexico on Thursday, is understood to have had a whopping €500million release clause inserted into his contract when he signed from Manchester City in 2024.

There are provisions for certain Champions League clubs, including Barcelona, to sign Alvarez at a number south of €150million.

Alvarez wants to join Barcelona and the LaLiga champions have already seen a €100million bid rejected.

Atletico Madrid stance on Alvarez sale is clear

Atletico Madrid responded by trolling Barcelona on social media and maintain the Argentine striker is not for sale. The club deny any active negotiations and still point to the €500million clause.

26-year-old Alvarez remains contracted until 2030 leaving Atleti in a strong position, but club CEO Miguel Ángel Gil and former sporting director Andrea Berta put in provisions for Alvarez to leave for a lower number than his official release clause when he joined from Manchester City in 2024.

Alvarez has gone on to score 49 goals in 106 appearances, including 20 last season in all competitions.

Atleti have been left angered by Barcelona’s public pursuit of Alvarez and dispute club-to-club talks are ongoing. Yet Alvarez has made it clear to the club he would like to leave, with Barcelona his firm preference.

​​​​​​​Arsenal have a number of other attacking options

In January, now Arsenal sporting director Berta made some informal calls. Alvarez is a dream target for Arsenal this summer. Manager Mikel Artet is intent on adding attacking reinforcements to his Premier League title-winning squad, with Bournemouth’s Junior Kroupi and Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers other options.

Real Madrid have also been linked with a move for Alvarez in recent days by Spanish media and there is growing noise around Barcelona’s transfer vials entering the race.

Yet Alvarez’s agent, Fernando Hidalgo, was recently asked about Real Madrid by Mundo Deportivo and replied: “We have no information on the matter and no one has contacted us about it.”

Alvarez and Argentina do not start their World Cup defence until the early hours of Wednesday morning (UK time) when they take on Algeria in their first group game.