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Omar Artan Receives Heroic Welcome After World Cup Exclusion

Published

4 months ago

June 10, 2026

Omar Artan receives emotional homecoming in Mogadishu after World Cup exclusion, vowing to return stronger following US visa denial

Somali international referee Omar Artan, a Confederation of African Football Men’s Referee of the Year 2025, received a hero’s welcome in Mogadishu on Wednesday after being denied entry into the United States for the FIFA World Cup, an incident that led to his exclusion from the tournament.

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Omar Artan World Cup exclusion has sparked widespread reaction both within Somalia and across the global football community, after what had been seen as a landmark appointment to the 52-member list of tournament officials was abruptly overturned.

More than 100 supporters gathered at Mogadishu’s main airport, waving Somali flags and cheering as Artan arrived on a Turkish Airlines flight.

The emotional reception reflected national pride and disappointment following his removal from the officiating team.

Speaking shortly after his arrival, Artan struck a determined tone, insisting that the setback would not define his career.

“I will be at the next World Cup and will continue to make Somalia proud. Despite what has happened to me, I am not discouraged,” he said.

His exclusion has triggered strong reactions in Somalia, where his selection for the World Cup had been celebrated as a historic achievement for the country’s football community.

Mohamed said, a Mogadishu government official who was present at the airport, described the decision as deeply painful, saying it had affected not only Artan but also those who view sport as a symbol of unity and progress.

“They wronged him in a way that hurts everybody who is concerned about humanity,” he said.

Artan was stopped from entering the United States on Saturday after arriving at Miami International Airport.

US State Department official later stated that he was considered “associated with suspected members of terrorist organisations”, a claim that rendered him ineligible for admission.

FIFA subsequently confirmed that Artan would no longer be part of the World Cup officiating team as the tournament begins across Canada, Mexico and the United States.

The decision has overshadowed what was initially a moment of national pride in Somalia, where President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud had earlier described Artan as “a symbol of inspiration for the new generation of Somalis”.

Also read: Chelle Backs Portugal to Win 2026 World Cup in Bold Claim

Despite the disappointment, supporters in Mogadishu expressed solidarity with the referee, turning his return into a powerful public show of support and resilience.

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EFCC Arraigns Two Lovers Over Alleged N35.9m Theft

Published

2 hours ago

October 22, 2026

Peculiar Adirika

The EFCC N35.9m theft case involves two young lovers accused of allegedly transferring money from a woman’s account in Edo State.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC) has arraigned two young lovers, Marian Elia, 19, and Izuchukwu Uzoma, 21, over the alleged theft of N35.92m belonging to a woman, Mrs Esther Ogbeifun, in Benin City, Edo State.

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The commission disclosed this in a statement published on its official X account on Wednesday, stating that its Benin Zonal Directorate brought the defendants before Justice C.A. Obiozor of the Federal High Court.

According to the EFCC, the pair face a seven-count charge bordering on cybercrime, conspiracy and stealing.

The commission alleged that Elia, who grew up in Ogbeifun’s household, had access to the woman’s mobile phones and banking information, which she allegedly used to transfer funds into an account belonging to Uzoma, her boyfriend.

“Investigation by the Commission revealed that Elia, who grew up in the house of the victim, had access to her phones and bank information and allegedly executed a transfer of the said sum from the victim’s account into that of Uzoma, her boyfriend,” the statement said.

The EFCC further alleged that the defendants converted the money to their personal use.

One of the charges accused Elia of using Ogbeifun’s Moniepoint personal banking application to transfer a total of N35,920,000 into an account operated by Uzoma at United Bank for Africa.

The alleged transactions reportedly occurred between March 8 and July 29, 2026, in Benin, Edo State.

The charge cited Section 33(2)(c) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015, as amended in 2024.

Both defendants pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to them in court.

Following their pleas, prosecution counsel, I.M. Elodi, asked the court to schedule the case for trial and remand the defendants in a correctional facility.

Justice Obiozor subsequently ordered that Elia and Uzoma be remanded at the Benin Correctional Centre in Benin City.

The court adjourned the case until December 7 for hearing.