By Maher Ahmed - Reporter
MOGADISHU, Somalia (Dawan Africa) – Somalia’s Minister of Youth and Sports, Mohamed Abdulkadir, has dismissed allegations that FIFA referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan poses a security threat, saying the Somali government handled the matter through official diplomatic channels and that there is no evidence supporting such claims.
Speaking on Miizaan Podcast, of by Dawan Media, Abdulkadir said both the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had formally responded to the issue, stressing that Somalia’s engagement extended beyond public statements.
“We responded. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs also responded. There are public statements, and there are official documents. The official documents that reached us were answered,” the minister said.
Abdulkadir rejected suggestions that Artan represents a security risk, describing him as a respected international referee who has earned global recognition through his professional achievements.
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“Omar is not a security threat,” he said. “He is contributing to the world through his expertise.”
The minister added that the government is not aware of any evidence linking Artan to activities that would justify security concerns.
“There is nothing that we know of that connects him to what has been alleged,” Abdulkadir said. “He is a man who has contributed to the world through his knowledge. He is not someone who is a threat to the world, or to any country.”
He further stated that, to the government’s knowledge, Artan has no known issues with any country and continues to be respected internationally for his work as a FIFA referee.