UEFA Appoints Somali Referee Omar Artan for Super Cup Match Amid US Entry Denial Controversy
UEFA has appointed Somali referee Omar Artan to officiate the upcoming Super Cup match between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa. Artan, who was previously selected as one of Africa's refereeing representatives for the World Cup, faced rejection by US Customs and Border Protection at Miami International Airport. Despite the setback, UEFA has shown solidarity with Artan by assigning him to referee the Super Cup clash in August in Salzburg.
Artan, a young and accomplished referee who has been on the FIFA international list since 2018, has officiated significant matches, including the second leg of the 2025/26 CAF Champions League final. He was recognized with the CAF Men’s Referee of the Year Award in 2025. Although he was unable to participate in the FIFA World Cup 2026 due to the US entry denial, UEFA's decision to appoint him for the Super Cup match aligns with the recent Memorandum of Understanding signed between UEFA and CAF to promote cooperation in various areas, including refereeing.
The appointment of Artan for the UEFA Super Cup match underscores the commitment of UEFA and CAF to developing football and upholding values of unity, equality, and non-discrimination. Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story, and Mirror Sport will provide the latest news, images, and videos as they become available. Follow us on various platforms or visit The Mirror homepage for more updates.