'This Was My World Cup' Says Somali Ref After UEFA Super Cup
Omar Artan thanked UEFA and the Confederation of African Football after officiating the Super Cup, which Paris Saint-Germain won 2-1.
- On Wednesday, Somali referee Omar Artan officiated the UEFA Super Cup between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa in Salzburg, marking a historic milestone for African representation.
- The 34-year-old was previously denied entry to the United States for the World Cup after authorities alleged he was "associated with suspected members of terrorist organizations," making him ineligible for admission.
- Artan rejected the allegations, which sparked outrage in Somalia; he was welcomed as a hero upon returning home after the incident.
- UEFA justified the appointment by citing an agreement signed at the end of April with CAF to encourage cooperation between the two confederations.
- Artan wrote "This was my World Cup" on the match ball and thanked UEFA and CAF on Thursday, saying they "welcomed me their continent with open arms.
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Omar Artan posted an emotional message after directing the definition between the PSG and Aston Villa. The African starred in one of the biggest polemics in the World Cup when he was expelled by Donald Trump's government.
'This was my World Cup' says Somali ref after UEFA Super Cup
The 34-year-old was denied the chance to referee at the World Cup itself after being refused entry to the United States. He was turned away on arrival at Miami International Airport, despite being part of the panel of referees selected by FIFA for the tournament. In a post on X on Thursday, UEFA shared a photo showing a match ball from Wednesday's match on which Artan had written: "This was my World Cup". UEFA added the caption: "A special Supe…
The banned Somali World Cup official sent a written message, on the ball of the Super Cup of Europe, won by the PSG against Aston Villa on Wednesday.
Somali referee Omar Artan thanked European football's governing body UEFA for giving him the opportunity to referee the Super Cup match between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa, reports the German news agency dpa.
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