Omar Artan officiates Super Cup after World Cup exclusion

Somali referee Omar Artan described taking charge of Wednesday's UEFA Super Cup between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa in Salzburg as his "World Cup". UEFA added the caption: "A special Super Cup souvenir from Omar Artan".

Somali referee Omar Artan was denied entry to the U.S. for the World Cup, sparking a remarkable chain of events that led to him officiating the UEFA Super Cup.

Omar Artan is set to return to the big stage on Wednesday evening when he takes charge of the UEFA Super Cup match between PSG and Aston Villa. Artan made headlines earlier this summer when he was due to officiate at the 2026 World Cup, but was denied entry to the USA.

Somali referee Omar Artan will take charge of the UEFA Super Cup clash between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa after he was controversially barred from officiating at the World Cup.

Somalian referee Omar Artan, who was denied the chance to referee at the World Cup after being refused entry to the United States, will take charge of the UEFA Super Cup between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa on Wednesday.In response, UEFA, the governing body of European football, announced that Artan would referee the UEFA Super Cup, which pits Champions League winners PSG against the Europa League winners Aston Villa.

Referee was controversially refused entry to US in June He will take charge of PSG v Aston Villa on Wednesday The Somali referee Omar Artan, who was refused entry to the US to officiate at the World Cup, has spoken publicly for the first time about the decision and detailed his pride as he prepares to take charge of Wednesday’s Super Cup between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa. Uefa awarded Artan the game days after the 34-year-old was prevented from working at this summer’s tournament. Artan will make history in Salzburg by becoming the first non-European official to take charge of Uefa’s annual competition between the Champions League winners and the Europa League champions. “When we got this call it was, for me and my family, really a very, very happy moment,” said Artan, who is considered one of Africa’s best referees. “There’s a big Somali community in Europe and in Austria, and they are over the moon with me officiating a match like this.” Continue reading...