Outrage in Africa over US denial of Somali judge

 The decision of the US authorities to deny entry to Somali referee Omar Abdulqadir Artan for the 2026 World Cup was met with a wave of outrage among African journalists. The American authorities justified their decision by suspecting the judge's links with terrorist organizations. One Nigerian journalist, Osasu Obayiuwana, expressed his opposition on social media, saying: "He is the best judge on the continent. Why was he denied entry? This is unthinkable!" Patrick Guitte, a journalist from Côte d'Ivoire, added: "We had a great reception at the last World Cup. Today people are disappointed. It seems they just don't want to see us there!"