FIFA President Infantino regrets US refusal of Somali referee Omar Artan for 2026 World Cup
via SeneNews1 min read
FIFA President Gianni Infantino expressed regret over the United States' refusal of Somali referee Omar Artan, who was scheduled to officiate at the 2026 World Cup. Infantino stated, "It's unfortunate what happened to him, but we don't control everything," during a press conference in Mexico. Artan was turned away upon arrival at Miami International Airport, despite claiming to have a valid visa. The US State Department indicated that Artan was "linked to individuals suspected of belonging to terrorist organizations."
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 18 African countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by SeneNews.
Singer Patrick Bruel, 67, has been charged with rape, attempted rape, sexual assault, and sexual harassment concerning nine alleged victims. The Nanterre public prosecutor's office confirmed these charges on Wednesday. The reported incidents occurred between 2010 and 2019. Additionally, 13 other cases, which are now time-barred, have been added to the judicial inquiry initiated by the Nanterre prosecutor's office. The accusations against Bruel include a sexual assault in Grenoble in 2000, attempted rapes in Brussels and Neuilly-sur-Seine in 2010, rapes in Dinard in 2012, L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue in 2015, and Paris in 2019. He is also accused of sexual assault and sexual harassment in Perpignan in 2019, and sexual harassment in Ajaccio, France, and Nyon, Switzerland, both in 2019. Some of these previously dismissed cases were re-examined and subsequently included in the investigative judges' referral, according to the Nanterre prosecutor's office. Four victims who filed civil complaints are also mentioned in the introductory indictment.
Must ReadThe UN human rights chief, Volker Türk, has called on the United States to conduct a "profound" review of its migration policy enforcement, particularly in light of the upcoming 2026 World Cup. Speaking at a press conference in Geneva, Türk expressed hope for a re-evaluation of policies that impact human rights and dignity, especially those currently prevailing in the US. Tensions surrounding US migration policy have escalated just days before the World Cup begins. The FIFA stated in a communiqué to AFP that it "does not intervene in the immigration procedures of the host country, including visa issuance." A notable incident involved Somali referee Omar Artan, who was turned away by US border police upon arrival in Miami. Artan, who was subsequently removed by FIFA, told the New York Times that his "life's biggest dream" was shattered. Somalia, whose citizens are subject to a travel ban by the Donald Trump administration, defended Artan's integrity, stating he had a valid visa. The US State Department, when questioned by AFP, responded that the referee was "linked to individuals suspected of belonging to terrorist organizations." Other countries have also faced administrative issues. According to The Guardian, Iraqi star striker Aymen Hussein was held for nearly seven hours at Chicago airport, and the team's official photographer, Talal Salah, was denied entry despite a valid visa. Swiss striker Breel Embolo, initially denied administrative authorization due to a judicial con
Must ReadSenegal's energy sector continued its growth in May 2026, with oil production from the Sangomar field and gas production from the Grand Tortue Ahmeyim GTA project. Sangomar saw the loading and commercialization of three crude oil cargoes, totaling 2.93 million barrels. This consistent output is supported by high equipment availability and managed operations, ensuring a steady supply to international markets. The GTA gas project also progressed, exporting four cargoes of liquefied natural gas LNG in May 2026, amounting to 0.66 million cubic meters. These results indicate the project's gradual ramp-up and the stability of its liquefaction and export facilities. The observed shipping rate highlights the project's ability to maintain regular production and optimize operations, reflecting strong coordination between Senegal and Mauritania's developed infrastructure. With nearly three million barrels of oil exported from Sangomar and four LNG cargoes shipped from GTA in a single month, Senegal is solidifying its hydrocarbon production, enhancing the energy sector's role in the national economy and supporting growth prospects from the country's oil and gas resources.