Amount not yet certain as it would have depended on number of matches Omar Artan was assigned during the competition
Fifa will pay Somali referee Omar Artan in full for his World Cup assignments despite his exclusion from the tournament after being denied entry to the US.
Artan, regarded as one of Africa’s leading officials, returned to Somalia after being refused admission on arrival in Miami last week because of visa-related issues.
The 34-year-old had been selected as part of the officiating team for the World Cup but was removed from the country before the tournament began.
But Fifa will honour its financial commitments to Artan and he will receive the full fee associated with his World Cup appointment, according to people close to the governing body. The final amount has not yet been calculated because it would have depended on the number of matches he was assigned during the competition.
Since the decision, there has been serious criticism of Fifa regarding the World Cup and the governing body’s inability to ensure access for accredited participants.
A statement from US Customs and Border Protection cited “vetting concerns” as the reason for Artan’s removal. In a statement, Fifa president Gianni Infantino responded to criticism by urging observers to “chill and relax”.
Artan has received strong support from the refereeing community given his standing in African football and his growing international reputation. His selection for the World Cup was viewed as recognition of a career that has seen him officiate at major continental and international tournaments.
Uefa has since moved to appoint Artan as referee for August’s Uefa Super Cup in Salzburg, where Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain will face Europa League holders Aston Villa.
The appointment offers an immediate return to a high-profile stage for Artan following his exclusion from the World Cup.
