UEFA appoints Somali referee Omar Artan for Super Cup following US visa denial
Omar Artan, rejected for entry to the 2026 World Cup by US authorities over alleged terrorist links, will officiate the Paris Saint-Germain versus Aston Villa clash.
The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) has confirmed that Somali referee Omar Artan will officiate the upcoming UEFA Super Cup match between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa. The appointment follows Artan’s exclusion from the 2026 World Cup officiating panel after being denied entry to the United States.
Artan, 34, was turned away at Miami International Airport in June despite being selected by FIFA for the tournament. A US Department of State official stated that the referee was ineligible for admission due to allegations that he was associated with suspected members of terrorist organisations. Artan has firmly rejected these claims, describing the period as “very tough” and expressing pride in his subsequent appointment to the European final.
UEFA justified the decision to appoint Artan by referencing a cooperation agreement signed in April with the Confederation of African Football (CAF). The governing body stated the move was intended to encourage collaboration between the two confederations. Artan, who made history as the first Somali to officiate at the Africa Cup of Nations in 2024, described the call as a “very, very happy moment” for him and his family.
The appointment occurs against a backdrop of heightened political tension between UEFA and FIFA President Gianni Infantino. The two bodies have been in conflict for the past two weeks, primarily over the abandoned plan to open the World Cup to private investors. UEFA has threatened a boycott of FIFA tournaments, including future World Cups, to pressure Infantino to step down.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino previously commented on the visa denial, stating that FIFA does not control travel admissions. The incident caused outrage in Somalia, where Artan was welcomed as a hero upon his return. UEFA’s decision to proceed with the appointment is viewed by observers as a significant political gesture within the ongoing dispute.
