Because he is an official selected by FIFA for the World Cup.
Top international referees like Omar Artan (CAF Referee of the Year) routinely receive diplomatic or service passports from their federations and FIFA arrangements for global travel, security, and official duties. This is standard for high-level match officials representing the game internationally.
The real question is: Why did US border agents lock Africa’s best referee in a room for 11 hours, interrogate him, and deport him like a criminal despite valid visa, diplomatic passport, and full FIFA approval?
Why does Senegal’s Lions of Teranga get frisked and humiliated on the tarmac every time?
And why does Gianni Infantino stay completely silent while handing Trump a fake Peace Prize?
This is not about passports. This is systemic humiliation of African excellence. FIFA takes our talent and votes then abandons us.
Why would a referee have a diplomatic passport?