Infantino says 'chill, relax' after Somali referee denied US entry

FIFA president Gianni Infantino urged people to "chill and relax" after Somalian match official Omar Artan was denied entry to the United States for the World Cup, leaving the referee devastated and stranded ahead of the global showpiece. Speaking at a rare press conference, Infantino called the situation unfortunate and stressed the organisation's limits: "we don't control everything...

Sometimes it's good to chill, relax... Sometimes to immediately start screaming and shouting has the opposite effect of finding a solution." He also said FIFA are not the "kings of the world" who can rule over governments and police forces. Artan, who was travelling with valid documentation and a diplomatic passport, was repatriated to Turkey, and Andrew Giuliani, leader of the White House Task Force on the World Cup, said he supported the decision by customs and border patrol.

United States

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