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Somali referee banned by US to officiate European Super Cup, UEFA

From The Punch · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Somali referee Omar Artan, denied entry to the US for the World Cup, has been appointed to officiate the UEFA Super Cup.
  • UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin praised Artan's officiating skills and highlighted football's role in connecting people.
  • Artan's appointment is seen as a source of pride for Somalia and the African continent, despite his US visa denial.

Somali referee Omar Artan, who was recently denied entry to the United States for the World Cup, has been appointed by UEFA to officiate the Super Cup, European football's governing body announced Thursday.

Omar Artan is an excellent young but already experienced referee, who has proven himself at the highest competition level of the Confederation of African Football. Football is made to connect people, and UEFA wants to show its respect to Omar and his outstanding officiating skills, which had earned him such a prestigious nomination.

— Aleksander CeferinUEFA president praising Omar Artan's officiating skills.

UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin lauded the Somali referee, calling him an "excellent young but already experienced referee" who has proven himself at the highest level of African football. "Football is made to connect people, and UEFA wants to show its respect to Omar and his outstanding officiating skills," Ceferin stated.

UEFA confirmed Artan's appointment for the August 12 Super Cup match in Salzburg, Austria, between Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain and Europa League winners Aston Villa. This decision comes after talks with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as part of an accord to encourage cooperation and develop football globally.

UEFA and CAF are united by a shared commitment to developing football at all levels and promoting the core values of unity, equality and non-discrimination.

— UEFA statementHighlighting the cooperation between UEFA and CAF.

CAF President Patrice Motsepe expressed immense pride in Artan, stating his appointment is a "great honour for Omar Artan and for African referees." He added that it serves as an excellent example of football uniting people from Africa, Europe, and worldwide.

His receipt of the CAF men’s referee of the year award 2025 and his appointment as a referee of the FIFA World Cup 2026 are a recognition of his world-class refereeing ability and the international respect that he enjoys. His appointment to referee the Super Cup is a great honour for Omar Artan and for African referees and is also an excellent example of football, bringing together and uniting people from Africa and Europe and worldwide

— Patrice MotsepeCAF President on Artan's achievements and the significance of his Super Cup appointment.

Artan's case gained attention after he was barred from entering the US at Miami International Airport. A US State Department official cited his "association with suspected members of terrorist organizations" as the reason for his ineligibility. FIFA also confirmed his removal from the World Cup roster. Despite the setback, Artan received a hero's welcome upon his return to Mogadishu.

associated with suspected members of terrorist organisations

— US State Department officialReason provided for denying Omar Artan entry into the United States.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Punch in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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