U.S. denies entry to referee over alleged terror ties — Canadian politicians welcome him instead
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow immediately issued a public statement saying Omar Artan would be welcome to officiate in her city and pledging to write to FIFA on his behalf.
BECOME A MEMBER
Article by Rebel News staff
Tonight, on The Ezra Levant Show, the United States stops a terrorist-linked Somali referee from coming to America — but two Canadian politicians say he's welcome here.
There is a giant soccer tournament underway in North America right now, with international teams and referees descending on cities across Canada and the United States. One of those referees is Omar Artan, a Somali official who was supposed to travel to Florida for a pre-tournament training camp.
He was blocked at the border. American authorities denied him entry.
The reason? The United States says Omar Artan has ties to al-Shabaab — the Islamic terrorist organization responsible for mass killings across the Horn of Africa and beyond.
So what did Canada's political class do with that information?
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow says Omar Artan, the Somali referee who was denied entry to the U.S. ahead of the World Cup, would be welcome to officiate in Toronto.
— 6ixBuzzTV (@6ixbuzztv) June 10, 2026
“Toronto believes in fairness, inclusion, and giving talent the opportunity to shine. He would be welcome to referee… pic.twitter.com/bhabrdwLHl
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow immediately issued a public statement saying Artan would be welcome to officiate in her city and pledging to write to FIFA on his behalf. Within hours, British Columbia Premier David Eby offered an identical message. Two senior Canadian politicians, racing to the microphone to vouch for a man the United States just flagged as having terrorist connections.
It gets worse. The Republic of Somaliland — a breakaway state that has actively distanced itself from Somali Islamist extremism — went through Artan's old social media posts and translated them. In one post, he wrote that Jews target Muslims and Arabs and suck their blood.
Why would Western countries take people who are affiliated with terrorists, who are violent, who are antisemitic, or hostile to any other group? It's hard to say, but that seems to be the Canadian way.
GUEST: Rebel News' extended coverage of last weekend's Walk With Israel in Toronto.
COMMENTS
-
Patricia Stacey followed this page 2026-06-11 08:53:20 -0400 -
Tom Mcilravey commented 2026-06-10 21:27:39 -0400 FlagThe monkeys are truly running the zoo when they allow known supporters of terrorism entry to Canada. And if IRCC allow Artan and his like into Canada, so wonder the USA is protecting itself from Canada as well. Chairman Chow and her ilk need to be shown the door next election.
-
Duane Pedersen commented 2026-06-10 20:48:24 -0400 FlagOlivia Chow is a criminal herself why anyone in Toronto would vote this idiot in is crazy Oh yea only Pride lovers vote that thing in
