Holders PSG to face Villa in traditional curtain-raiser Super Cup tie

Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa will compete for the UEFA Super Cup in Salzburg on Wednesday, just three weeks after the World Cup final. This annual match traditionally features the most recent winners of the Champions League and Europa League.

The game also serves as a platform for UEFA to assert its authority over FIFA amid growing tensions between the governing bodies. This is highlighted by UEFA's decision to appoint Somali referee Omar Artan to officiate the Super Cup.

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The annual match between the most recent winners of the Champions League and Europa League also offers another chance for more grandstanding by UEFA at the expense of FIFA at a time of a growing disconnect between the two powerful soccer governing bodies in light of the recent conduct of Gianni Infantino.

Artan was barred from officiating at the World Cup by US officials days before the tournament began, who cited alleged connections to terror organizations without providing proof. UEFA's selection of Artan, who was named Africa's best referee last season, is seen as a widely celebrated move within the soccer community and a subtle challenge to the US vetting process.

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US officials claimed Artan had connections to terror organizations, though without providing proof. UEFA responded by picking Artan - a referee judged the best in Africa last season - to take charge of the Super Cup, a move that was widely celebrated in the soccer community and