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Somali referee to officiate UEFA Super Cup after World Cup ban
๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ Mexico /Sports

Somali referee to officiate UEFA Super Cup after World Cup ban

From El Universal · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified New plan
  • Somali referee Omar Artan will officiate the UEFA Super Cup in August after being denied entry to the FIFA World Cup by the United States.
  • UEFA President Aleksander ฤŒeferin stated the appointment respects Artan's skills, while US officials cited alleged terrorist ties without providing evidence.
  • The incident has raised concerns about US immigration policy and drew criticism from the UN human rights chief and FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

Somali referee Omar Artan, who was barred from the FIFA World Cup by the United States, has been selected to officiate the UEFA Super Cup in August. The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) announced that Artan will referee the match between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa in Salzburg, Austria.

Football is made to connect people, and UEFA wants to show its respect for Omar and his extraordinary refereeing skills.

โ€” Aleksander ฤŒeferinUEFA President's statement on appointing Artan to the Super Cup.

UEFA President Aleksander ฤŒeferin said in a statement, "Football is made to connect people, and UEFA wants to show its respect for Omar and his extraordinary refereeing skills." Artan received a hero's welcome upon returning to Somalia, days after US authorities denied him entry into Miami despite his FIFA selection for the World Cup.

US officials claimed Artan had ties to terrorist organizations, but offered no proof. The treatment of Artan has intensified concerns about US immigration policy regarding the World Cup, which drew criticism from the UN's top human rights official. FIFA President Gianni Infantino stated that the organization could not overrule government decisions, respecting that "we are not the kings of the world."

we must respect that we are not the kings of the world that can impose ourselves on governments and police forces.

โ€” Gianni InfantinoFIFA President's comment on the limits of FIFA's power in relation to national governments.

Artan, 34, was named Africa's best referee last season and officiated the decisive match in the continent's Champions League final. UEFA collaborated with the Confederation of African Football on the plan, with both UEFA and CAF presidents serving as FIFA vice presidents. CAF President Patrice Motsepe praised Artan, saying he made Somalia and Africa proud and exemplified how football unites people globally.

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

โ€” Patrice MotsepeCAF President's praise for Artan following the UEFA Super Cup appointment.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by El Universal in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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