FIFA's decision to pay referee Omar Artan is not honourable - it is an admission of guilt. Rejected World Cup referee Omar Artan has shamed FIFA into doing the right thing for once, in a break with tradition from world football's governing body.
FIFA's Attempt to Claw Back Respect
FIFA have made an attempt to claw back some respect following the Omar Artan saga. Some could view it as an act of kindness and compassion. Those who do will be the ones wearing dark blue blazers with a FIFA logo on the breast pocket. While the rest of us should regard FIFA's decision to honour the wages of Somali referee Omar Artan as an admission of guilt.
Artan was denied entry to the United States to officiate at the World Cup. He was interrogated for 11 hours by US immigration authorities at Miami International Airport earlier this week, before being told he would not be allowed into the States because his diplomatic passport and visa had been rejected. The reason was due to an alleged "association with suspected members of terror organisations." Artan said he had been questioned by border officials over his links to Somali militant group Al Shabab - and had made it clear he knew nothing about the organisation.
He was put back on a plane to the Somali capital Mogadishu, via Istanbul. But now it has emerged that thanks to those kind-hearted souls at FIFA, his long journey was not a wasted one.
Artan to Be Paid in Full
Despite not getting to blow his whistle once for a water break, Artan will still be paid in full come the end of the tournament. Which is quite something. FIFA charge supporters almost $6 for a packet of crisps, $8 for a drink of Coca-Cola and $18 for chicken and chips at stadiums around North America. But are then willing to shell out thousands of dollars to someone who hasn't done a stroke of work? Suggesting FIFA has finally found a conscience would be stretching the truth.
But compensating someone for leaving his professional dream in tatters is a clear indication world football's governing body accepts it might have done the unthinkable and got something wrong. FIFA have blamed empty seats on fans being stood on stadium concourses instead. FIFA have also stopped hiding what drink breaks represent during matches. But FIFA honouring someone's contract even though he won't get to fulfil it feels like a genuine break from the status quo of the shameless and self-serving behaviour we've long become accustomed to. Things might be looking up. But let's not count those expensive chickens just yet.
