More shocking details have emerged about what happened to top FIFA referee Omar Artan before he was denied entry into the United States ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
The football world was left outraged this week after learning that the Somali official would not be able to work at the tournament this summer, despite having a visa. Artan arrived at Miami International Airport on a flight from Istanbul but was not allowed to come into the country due to ‘vetting concerns’.
An unnamed United States official later stated that he was refused admission due to “association with suspected members of terror organisations.” The FIFA referee has now claimed that he simply shares the same name as a leader of a terrorist group, as he offered more eye-opening details about how he was treated in the US.
Referee Artan Details Being Held For 11 Hours in Miami Airport
Upon arriving in Miami, Artan faced an immediate issue. Despite having a valid visa, he was interrogated for 11 hours, then thrown into a cell and then officially denied entry as he was sent on a flight out of the country. He explained:
“I’m simply a referee trying to live my dream, the biggest dream of my life, to come to the World Cup. I had all my papers in order, yet I was interrogated for hours, thrown into prison, and then expelled. I think they have a problem with my country.”
“They asked me several times if I had ever met representatives of Al Shabab. I explained to them that I knew nothing about this military group, that I was only in the United States to do my job as a referee.”
Some of the biggest names in Premier League officiating are set to cash in.
Artan Was Set To Make History at 2026 World Cup
Artan became a FIFA-listed referee in 2018, was named CAF’s African Referee of the Year for 2025, and was set to make history as the first Somali official appointed to a World Cup. His absence now means just six African referees will work at the tournament this summer.
He finally landed in Somali capital Mogadishu this morning (10 June), where he was greeted by a crowd of reporters and supporters. Despite seeing his dreams dashed, Artan has spoken positively about his hopes for the future, noting:
“Despite the circumstances, I am in a positive mood and I am focused on the next challenges in my refereeing career.
“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.”
Aston Villa are preparing for a busy summer transfer window after they secured qualification for the Champions League.
It was a phenomenal 2025/2026 season for Unai Emery’s side, who qualified for the Champions League while also winning the Europa League.
Qualifying for Europe’s elite club competition will allow Villa to shop in a different market when it comes to new additions this summer.
Emery’s side won’t want to stand still despite their impressive campaign, and with players being linked with departures, it could be a busy transfer window.
Romano: Aston Villa Eyeing Goalkeeper
According to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, Zion Suzuki is among a list of three goalkeepers that Aston Villa are interested in ahead of the summer transfer window.
The Midlands club are reportedly eyeing the Parma goalkeeper, due to talks between Emi Martinez and Juventus.
Liverpool are in the market for a new centre-back during the summer transfer window after it was confirmed that Ibrahima Konate would be leaving the club.
Konate departed Anfield and looks set to join La Liga side Real Madrid in the summer, with his contract at Liverpool expiring.
The French defender has been a mainstay in Liverpool’s defence in recent years, partnering Virgil van Dijk under both Arne Slot and Jurgen Klopp.
Konate has struggled for consistency at times, and Liverpool may have been looking to bring in a replacement this summer regardless. Konate’s departure has certainly pushed it higher up their priority list.
The Reds do have Jeremy Jacquet arriving this summer, after he was signed in January. It remains to be seen whether he will come in and be a guaranteed starter.
Bastoni is also left-footed, meaning he can provide balance in the back four alongside Van Dijk.
Having a left-footed defender as part of a defensive pairing is very beneficial, something Liverpool haven’t had the luxury of in recent years.
Bastoni is incredibly comfortable on the ball whilst also being a powerful, tough-tackling defender. There’s an argument to suggest that not only would he be a competent replacement for Konate, he would also be an upgrade.
Tottenham are incredibly busy in the summer transfer window already, but Tuttosport reports that a surprise swap deal could now be on the cards.
It comes as Spurs are looking to rebuild the squad to improve on their recent disappointing campaigns in the Premier League, with an initial focus on the backline.
Despite that, another centre-back could be on the cards in a surprise swap deal.
Gleison Bremer Swap Deal
According to reports from Tuttosport, Tottenham are interested in a move for Juventus defender Gleison Bremer as an option to replace Cristian Romero this summer.
It’s claimed that Roberto De Zerbi is keen on the ‘monster’ centre-back, having seen his work during his time at Sassuolo, while the Brazilian is also open to a potential exit from Juventus.
A €58 million (£50 million) release clause exists in the 29-year-old’s deal that the Bianconeri can point to in transfer discussions, but Spurs may have a trick of their own.
The report adds that Tottenham are trying to lower that valuation in transfer discussions by offering Guglielmo Vicario as an option, in what could be a potential swap deal if discussions moved in that direction.
A €20 million (£17.25 million) has been placed on the Italian goalkeeper, and while the interest in Bremer may not necessarily lead to a swap deal, it is suggested as an option for Spurs.
It remains to be seen whether it is possible, but it would be quite a surprise move for the Lilywhites, for several different reasons.
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Bremer Transfer Surprise
While Bremer has been linked with a move to the Premier League in the past, a switch to Tottenham this summer would come as something of a surprise.
Even with exits expected for Romero and Radu Dragusin, Spurs are set to have plenty of centre-back options if they can get their current targets through the door.
Senesi and Van Hecke would be competing with the likes of Micky van de Ven, Kevin Danso, and Luka Vuskovic for minutes, while the pairing of Robertson and Davies could also function on the left-side of the central pair.
Throwing Bremer into the mix would only unbalance things even further, not least when Tottenham don’t have the schedule to justify such strength in depth for one specific area.
Spurs are already making waves in the summer transfer window
Adding Vicario in for a potential swap deal may also be a surprise, as Spurs would likely reinvest anything into another goalkeeper to compete with Antonin Kinsky.
The goalkeeper does look set for an exit, however, even despite De Zerbi describing Vicario as a “top player” during his stint at the club so far.
Even if that is the case, he may not end up at Juventus, because recent reports have suggested that their priority will be Aston Villa ace Emiliano Martinez.
It remains to be seen if there is a twist in the tale that will see a swap deal occur, but it would be quite the surprise if so.
