Why was the referee questioned for 11 hours at Miami International Airport?

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Somali Referee Questioned Over Alleged Terrorist Group Associations

Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan was subjected to an 11-hour questioning by US immigration authorities at Miami International Airport and subsequently denied entry into the United States due to allegations of association with suspected members of terror organisations. Artan himself stated that the questioning focused on supposed links to the Somali militant group Al-Shabaab, a claim he denied.
Allegations of Terrorist Group Links

US government officials cited an alleged "association with suspected members of terror organisations" as the reason for denying Omar Abdulkadir Artan entry into the United States. This assertion formed the basis of the extensive questioning he underwent upon arrival at Miami International Airport.
Referee's Denial of Allegations

Artan, who was selected by FIFA to officiate at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, stated that he was questioned about alleged connections to Al-Shabaab. He maintained his innocence, asserting that he had no knowledge of the organisation and was merely a referee pursuing his lifelong dream of participating in the World Cup.
Denial of Entry and Visa Rejection

Following the prolonged interrogation, Artan's diplomatic passport and single-entry US visa were rejected. This resulted in him being denied permission to enter the country, leading to his subsequent placement on a flight back to Turkiye. Despite this setback, FIFA has confirmed that Artan will still receive his full tournament fee.

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Why was the referee questioned for 11 hours at Miami International Airport?

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