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Somali ref Artan picked for showpiece UEFA game after being barred by US from World Cup
๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ผ Kuwait /Sports

Somali ref Artan picked for showpiece UEFA game after being barred by US from World Cup

From Arab Times · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Somali referee Omar Artan, previously denied entry to the U.S. for the World Cup, has been selected to officiate the UEFA Super Cup game.
  • UEFA President Aleksander ฤŒeferin stated the decision shows respect for Artan's skills and aims to connect people through football.
  • Artan received a hero's welcome in Somalia after being questioned for 11 hours by U.S. authorities, who claimed he had connections to terror organizations without providing proof.

Somali referee Omar Artan, who faced a ban from entering the United States for the World Cup, has been appointed to officiate the prestigious UEFA Super Cup match in August. The European soccer governing body, UEFA, announced that Artan will take charge of the game between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa in Salzburg, Austria.

Football is made to connect people, and UEFA wants to show its respect to Omar and his outstanding officiating skills.

โ€” Aleksander ฤŒeferinExplaining UEFA's decision to appoint Omar Artan to the Super Cup.

UEFA President Aleksander ฤŒeferin emphasized the symbolic nature of the appointment. "Football is made to connect people, and UEFA wants to show its respect to Omar and his outstanding officiating skills," ฤŒeferin said in a statement. This decision comes after Artan was detained and questioned for 11 hours by U.S. authorities upon arrival in Miami, despite being selected by FIFA for World Cup duties. He was subsequently sent back to Somalia.

U.S. officials claimed Artan had connections to terror organizations, though without providing proof.

โ€” Associated PressReporting on the U.S. justification for denying entry.

U.S. officials cited alleged connections to terror organizations as the reason for denying Artan entry, though no evidence was provided. This treatment sparked concerns about U.S. immigration policies, drawing criticism from the United Nations' top human rights official. FIFA President Gianni Infantino acknowledged the organization's powerlessness in preventing Artan's ordeal, stating, "we need to respect that we are not the kings of the world who can rule over governments and police forces."

we need to respect that we are not the kings of the world who can rule over governments and police forces.

โ€” Gianni InfantinoCommenting on FIFA's inability to override government decisions regarding Artan.

Artan, widely regarded as Africa's best referee last season, received a jubilant welcome upon his return to Somalia. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) and its president, Patrice Motsepe, collaborated with UEFA on the plan. Motsepe hailed the appointment as a "great honor for Omar Artan and for African referees" and an "excellent example of football bringing together and uniting people."

Omar Artan has made Somalia and the entire people of the African continent extremely proud.

โ€” Patrice MotsepeExpressing pride in Artan's achievement.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Arab Times. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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