To protest the banning of the Somali ref, non profit took world cup tickets from poor kids

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He said learning that his nonprofit was receiving the tickets was “the best news I ever had.” The African Youth Sports Academy, which also offers mentorship and other services, decided to hold a soccer competition to help determine who would receive tickets. The plan was to award the tickets to about a dozen youth, ages 13 to 16, and several of their parents, Abdulla said.

The kids “are very sad, man, very heartbroken,” he said. “We have to teach them to stand up for the right thing.”

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Ali Abdulla was over the moon when he learned his youth-soccer nonprofit would receive 20 free tickets to the World Cup round of 16 match next month in Seattle. Many of the kids in his African Youth Sports Academy come from low-income, immigrant families, and with ticket prices hovering around $1,000, it was an incredible opportunity for them.

Then the U.S. barred Omar Artan — the first Somali referee set to officiate in the World Cup — from entering the country. Abdulla, himself a former semi-professional soccer player and Somali refugee, wanted to do something in solidarity

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The Seattle mayor's office and the local FIFA World Cup organizing committee declined to comment on the nonprofit's decision but confirmed the tickets had been reallocated to another community group: the Somali Health Board, which also sponsors youth soccer.

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