After Somali referee denied entry, Seattle organization returns World Cup tickets
A Seattle-area soccer group aimed at supporting African youths is returning 20 free tickets to a FIFA Men's World Cup match, a move made in solidarity with the Somali referee who was denied entry to the U.S. this week.
The African Youth Sports Academy, a South King County group that hosts soccer training for children, was one of 40 local organizations selected to receive more than 1,400 free tickets as part of an initiative between the city of Seattle and the local organizing committee. Omar Artan - the first referee from Somalia selected to officiate a World Cup - was set to work as one of 52 referees for the tournament.
It was a "dream come true" to provide families a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to watch the round-of-16 match July 6, said African Youth Sports Academy founder and executive director Ali Abdulla. For the local Somali community, Artan's selection added to the joy and anticipation for the games.
"Everything was perfect," Abdulla said in an interview Thursday. But now, "We don't want to be involved.
We have to sacrifice, because our son - we have to make him feel like he's not alone," he said.
Artan has been celebrated as a national hero for a country facing decades of political instability and violence, and the recent ire of President Donald Trump. "It was like the Somalia national team made it to the World Cup" when Artan was selected, Abdulla said. "The whole country was excited."
On Monday, news began circulating that Artan was denied entry by U.S. Customs and Border Protection at Miami International Airport after being interviewed for 11 hours. Federal officials said Artan was "determined to be inadmissible due to vetting concerns," and he returned to Somalia on Wednesday.
After talking with parents, kids and other community members, Abdulla said they made the collective decision to return the tickets in solidarity with Artan. Abdulla said he would also step down as a FIFA World Cup volunteer in Seattle.
"It was really, really heartbreaking," said Abdulla, who was looking forward to watching the World Cup games in Seattle after being a lifelong soccer player and fan.
Abdulla, whose family fled civil war in Somalia, grew up playing the sport at a refugee camp before moving to the U.S. when he was 17 years old. Many refugees struggled to find community and build a stable life in America, he said, falling into poverty, homelessness or drug addiction.
"We created this small village for all kids to participate and play soccer, and make sure they don't go through what we did 20, 30 years ago," Abdulla said. His organization serves more than 240 kids, and hosts the annual Seattle Somali Week family soccer tournament.
Abdulla said he's grateful to the city of Seattle, FIFA and the local organizing committee for the tickets, but that it's important to stand up for the Somali community at a moment when they're under attack.
Somalia was one of 12 countries the Trump administration targeted with a sweeping travel ban last year. Trump, who has repeatedly disparaged Somalia, in December referred to people from the country as "garbage" who should "go back to where they came from." The White House's comments has left many in the local Somali community nervous about walking outside and fearful of being physically attacked or threatened, Abdulla said.
"I'm always scared, but still, we're a community of resilience," Abdulla said. "We're not a victim, we don't complain. We have faith, we believe in Allah and we believe everything happens for a reason."
Local organizing committee spokesperson Hana Tadesse said in an email Friday the tickets have been reallocated to the Somali Health Board, a local nonprofit that was also selected to receive free tickets.
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