FIRST READING: Canada effusively welcomes rejected Somalian referee, before realizing alleged terror ties (opens original article in a new tab)

Canadian politicians initially welcomed a Somali World Cup referee despite U.S. rejection over alleged terror ties, later acknowledging his inadmissibility due to vetting concerns. Al-Shabaab criticized U.S. policy as racially discriminatory, while Canadian officials emphasized support for the referee's potential role in Canada.

• Canadian politicians initially welcomed a Somali referee despite U.S. rejection over alleged terror ties
• Al-Shabaab criticized U.S. policy as racially discriminatory against Somalis
• Canadian officials later acknowledged the referee's inadmissibility due to vetting concerns
• FIFA's Miami-based operations would have prevented the referee from officiating in Canada