FIFA referee Omer Ertan broke his silence on the issue of blocking the entry of the United States.
In the interview, he said that the American immigration officials questioned me for 11 hours, even after a long interview, the reason for the denial of entry was not known. After the investigation, he remained in the prison cell for several hours.
He said that the American officials sat in a room all night and questioned me. I was asked about the politics of Somalia and Al-Shabaab.
US officials also checked online information about my professional career, including showing FIFA documents and career records, denying entry, he said.
Umer Ertan informed that after a long investigation, he was detained and sent back to Istanbul. Many times I was asked why I came to America.
The Somali referee said that participating in the World Cup was the biggest dream in life, I just wanted to fulfill my dream. They were very sad because they could not fulfill the duties of the referee in the World Cup.
They said that I have a valid visa and all the necessary documents, show all my documents and FIFA documents to the American authorities.
Omer Ertan said that being a referee in the World Cup will be a symbol for all the people of Somalia and he wanted to convey the message of success with the conditions of Somalia. It seems that the American authorities have a problem with my country.
He also said that refereeing the World Cup would be the greatest honor of my career, as I completed FIFA courses in Qatar and the UAE. I have served as a professional referee for more than ten years, participating in the World Cup will be an achievement not only for me but for the whole of Somalia.
The Somali referee said that he is returning to his country with great disappointment.
