News Focus
- Omar Artan will take charge of the UEFA Super Cup match between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa on August 12
- The appointment comes only 24 hours after FIFA removed him from the 2026 World Cup officials list
- United States authorities blocked his entry over claims of links to extremist groups, despite his diplomatic passport
- UEFA and CAF agreed on the appointment under their new cooperation agreement
- The fixture will take place at the Red Bull Arena in Salzburg, Austria
European football’s governing body has appointed Somali referee Omar Artan to officiate the upcoming UEFA Super Cup. The decision follows immediately after the 34-year-old official was barred from participating in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
American immigration officials had refused Artan entry into the United States. They alleged that the referee had connections to a terrorist organisation. This restriction stood even though he held a diplomatic passport and valid visa documentation.
The Super Cup fixture will feature Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain against Europa League champions Aston Villa. The match kicks off on August 12 at the Red Bull Arena in Salzburg.
Artan has developed an excellent reputation across the continent and worldwide. He became a FIFA international referee in 2018. During the recent campaign, he controlled the second leg of the CAF Champions League final. His outstanding performances earned him the CAF Men’s Referee of the Year award for 2025.
UEFA confirmed the appointment on Thursday following discussions with CAF. The move falls under a new Memorandum of Understanding between the two organisations. This partnership aims to strengthen cooperation in referee development and other key areas.
Aleksander Čeferin, the UEFA president, praised Artan’s abilities. He described the Somali official as young yet highly experienced. Čeferin emphasised that football should unite people from different nations and backgrounds.
Patrice Motsepe, president of CAF, also expressed his support. He stated that Artan has brought great pride to Somalia and the entire African continent. Motsepe thanked Čeferin for providing the referee with this prestigious opportunity.
Both leaders highlighted that this appointment demonstrates football’s power to connect cultures and promote equality across the globe.