CAF has reaffirmed its support for Somali referee Omar Artan, with President Dr. Patrice Motsepe backing the official after he was denied a U.S. visa for the FIFA World Cup.
Without mincing words, the head of African soccer expressed his full solidarity: “Omar Artan is the best referee in Africa, and we will continue to support him despite the United States decision to deny him entry into the country for the World Cup,” he said.
This public statement comes at a critical time, as the denial of a U.S. visa has prevented the referee from participating in the world’s premier soccer event.
By publicly naming Omar Artan as the continent’s top referee, Dr. Patrice Motsepe aims to preserve the prestige and credibility of African refereeing in the face of Washington’s administrative decisions.
This statement sends a strong message to the continent’s entire refereeing community.
CAF thus intends to demonstrate that it will not waver in its commitment to protecting and promoting its best talent on the international stage, regardless of any geopolitical or administrative constraints encountered outside the continent.
