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Somali World Cup referee denied entry to US arrives home to hero’s welcome

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A World Cup referee from Somalia, who was denied entry into the United States, received a hero’s welcome in Mogadishu on Wednesday, where he vowed to officiate at the next tournament and urged Somali youths to embrace national pride.

Omar Artan was poised to become the first referee from Somalia to officiate at a World Cup, having been included on Fifa’s final list for the competition. Recognised as one of Africa’s top referees, he was named the continent’s best male referee in 2025.

However, his journey was cut short at Miami International Airport on Saturday due to “vetting concerns,” according to a statement from US Customs and Border Protection, which offered no further details. Fifa subsequently removed him from the referee list.

Despite being issued a visa last week by the Somalia Embassy in Kenya, Artan, who was due to join other World Cup referees at their training base in Miami, was forced to return home. Upon his arrival in Mogadishu, he expressed gratitude to the Somali government, its people, and Fifa for their unwavering support.

Omar Artan was due to referee at the World Cup in America but was denied entry into the country
Omar Artan was due to referee at the World Cup in America but was denied entry into the country (AFP/Getty)

“I promise you, God willing, that I will attend the next one,” he declared, as hundreds of supporters waved the Somali flag. “I want the Somali public to take comfort in this and remain confident.”

The highly unusual decision by the US to bar a Fifa-appointed match official from entering a World Cup host nation sparked global outrage and prompted questions among some fans regarding America’s capacity to host the prestigious event. Somalia is among nearly 40 countries subject to travel restrictions implemented under the Trump administration’s immigration policies.

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Hundreds of supporters, government officials, and members of Somalia’s football community gathered hours before Artan’s arrival at Aden Adde International Airport. As he disembarked, flag-waving supporters crowded around him, draping him in the national flag.

He was then escorted by police to the airport’s VIP terminal, where he was greeted by Somalia’s Minister of Youth and Sports, officials from the Somalia Football Federation, and other dignitaries, before addressing the press.

The Somalian public condemned the US foe denying Artan the chance to officiate at the World Cup
The Somalian public condemned the US foe denying Artan the chance to officiate at the World Cup (Reuters)

“It is up to all of us to defend the Somali name,” Artan stated. “Somalia belongs to us, whether it is in a bad state or a good state. That flag belongs to us, and that passport belongs to us.”

In a nation where decades of conflict and the rise of the al-Qaida-linked al-Shabab extremist group have often limited opportunities, Artan’s denial brought widespread disappointment.

Yet, for many, it also served as a powerful reminder of what is possible when dreams are pursued.

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World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus echoed this sentiment on X, writing: “You reached the summit of your profession and inspired a generation back home just by getting there, and being kept off the pitch you earned doesn’t change that.”

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Orandi gives Tony Martin & Robbie Colgan Mile Handicap

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Tony Martin, who has enjoyed much success at Galway Races, landed the Colm Quinn BMW Mile Handicap with Orandi (16/1) on Tuesday evening before a crowd of 13,059.

Orandi, an eight-year-old son of Morandi, was third in the same contest last season, but went two places better tonight as he and rider Robbie Colgan saw off the Ado McGuinness-trained favourite, Pierre Royal (7/2) and Adam Caffrey by one-and-three-quarter lengths.

A neck behind the Lusk handler’s bay son of Blue Point was Jagged Edge (15/2), from the Stephen Thorne yard, in third in the hands of three-pound claimer Jack Kearney. Hardy Warrior (9/2), who had pattern race experience prior to this Premier Handicap finished fourth for Dylan Browne McMonagle and Joseph O’Brien, a further length-and-a-half back.

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Lizzie Twigg takes Listed Novice Hurdle

Lizzie Twigg (5/2) gave Gordon Elliott and Jack Kennedy the opening Listed Colm Quinn BMW Novice Hurdle. The five-year-old bumper winner, who is now unbeaten in three starts over obstacles, carried Elliott’s own colours to victory, coming home two-and-a-half lengths ahead of Fastnet Crystal (4/1), with the other Elliott-trained runner, Porcupine Bank (9/2) in third, one-and-a-quarter lengths in arrears of the Joseph O’Brien-handled runner-up.

Frankie John takes beginners’ chase

Frankie John (15/8), winner of a bumper at Galway last summer, returned successfully to Ballybrit on Tuesday when taking the Latin Quarter Beginners Chase over 2 miles 2 furlongs and 54 yards. The six-year-old grey son of Walk In The Park tracked the race leader Eclipse Chaser (28/1) and Danny Mullins for much of the race before coming to the stands’ side on entering the straight. The Denis Hogan inmate battled up the hill as he held off challenges from eventual second Bowensonfire (9/2), third-place finisher My Great Mate (7/1), and race favourite Love Me Tender (6/4f), who eventually finished in fourth.

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Samnina wins for Harrington & Foley

Samnina (4/1), who ran fourth at odds of 50/1 to the Aidan O’Brien-trained Alpha at The Curragh last month, broke her maiden this evening when claiming the Colm Quinn BMW Irish EBF Maiden over seven furlongs. Ridden by Shane Foley, for Jessica Harrington, the juvenile Sea The Moon filly held off joint-favourite, Madam Secretary (3/1jf), by three-quarters-of-a-length, with Silver Kiss (9/2) the same distance further back in third place for Dermot Weld and Chris Hayes.

McGuinness 1-2-4 in Handicap

Ado McGuinness completed a 1-2-4 in The caulfieldindustrial.com Handicap, race six on the card. Last week’s Naas winner, Eddie G (7/2 favourite) led the McGuinness Team, taking the win under Donegal jockey Dylan Browne McMonagle. His stable companion, Go Athletico (15/2) was second in the hands of 2026 Betfred Epsom Derby-winning rider Ronan Whelan, three-quarters-of-a-length behind at the finishing line. Denis Hogan, who earlier in the evening won the Latin Quarter Beginners Chase with Frankie John, took third in this handicap courtesy of Alfred Tennyson (18/1) and Joey Sheridan, while Goal Exceeded (11/2) – another McGuinness horse – was fourth with Adam Caffrey in the saddle.

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Tell Us This (12/1), who was 0 from 7 runs over fences prior to today, won the Colm Quinn BMW Handicap Chase for Andrew McNamara and Conor Stone-Walsh. A dual career hurdle winner, the seven-year-old bay Westerner gelding accounted for Herja (16/1) and Leave In Secret (11/1) by two-and-a-half lengths and the same in the 2 miles 2 furlongs and 54 yards race.

The Aga Khan Studs had a 1-2 in The Caulfield Industrial Irish EBF Maiden. The Johnny Murtagh-prepared Sindagan (9/4jf) and Ben Cohen got the better of Almeiyda (6/1) from the Dermot Weld stable, while the finale of Tuesday evening’s meeting, The Caulfield Industrial Handicap, went the way of Lady Arwen (12/1) for Conor O’Dwyer and Billy Lee.


LiveScores Now Available at IrishScores.com

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Jerry Jones reveals exploring blockbuster trade to put Cowboys in win-now mode for 2026 season

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Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has expressed readiness to go all out in his roster-building bid as training camp opens on Tuesday.

The 83-year-old declared his willingness to “give up the future” to make a big-time addition to the roster, while expressing confidence in his team.

“I’d give up future to add substantive to where we are today as to a player,” Jones said on Tuesday while addressing the media. “To give you an idea about would I invest in something substantive to get the right kind of deal to improve us opening day, I would.

” I feel that good about this team this year. And of course, you know that I haven’t seen this team play together and so, but in general, looking ahead, I think we’ve got a chance to be worthy of spending some future if we saw an opportunity.”

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The most obvious factor for Jerry Jones’ sense of urgency is the long championship drought at Dallas. The Cowboys haven’t played in the NFC Championship Game since 1995, and the pressure appears to be getting to Jones.

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Asked whether he is feeling the pressure ahead of fall, he responded:

“Yes, I do for all the obvious reasons.”

Jones’ frustration is understandable, with the longtime owner having admitted he feels he has let fans down. His failure to replicate the success of the 1990s is telling.

He has wasted no opportunity to state his commitment to returning the organization to its glory days following the disappointment of last season. He went as far as saying he would “hitchhike from Indianapolis to Dallas to get the Cowboys another Super Bowl” back in February.

Jerry Jones reignites Maxx Crosby trade speculations

One of the top targets on the Cowboys’ radar is Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby. Fixing the defense is a priority for the Cowboys after ranking bottom of the NFL in defense last season.

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Although a trade sending Crosby to the Baltimore Ravens recently fell through due to a failed physical, Jerry Jones confirmed the Cowboys’ continued interest.

Jones reignited the trade speculations on Tuesday, insisting the Cowboys did not walk away from a potential trade deal involving Crosby.

Meanwhile, Jones’ aggressive mindset is reflected across board within the Cowboys, with head coach Brian Schottenheimer mandating a strict no redshirts policy for rookies. In other words, the franchise’ overriding priority at the draft was getting prospects who will step in and contribute immediately rather than developmental projects.