Somali Referee Artan Urges Officials to Dream Big Ahead of UEFA Super Cup
UEFA said the appointment follows a cooperation agreement with the Confederation of African Football and comes after Artan was blocked from the World Cup.
- On Wednesday in Salzburg, 34-year-old Somali referee Omar Artan will make history as the first non-European to officiate the UEFA Super Cup, featuring Champions League winners Paris and Germain against Europa League holders Aston Villa.
- UEFA appointed Artan under a cooperation agreement signed with CAF this year to strengthen collaboration; CAF president Patrice Motsepe called it "a great honour for Omar Artan and for African referees" on Monday.
- Artan previously faced significant career hurdles, including being barred from entering the United States for the World Cup. "It was a very tough period," Artan said, reflecting on the challenge of being unable to work after years of preparation.
- Washington enforced a sweeping travel ban last year on citizens of 12 countries, including Somalia, after an administration official said Artan was denied entry due to alleged links to "suspected members of terror organizations."
- Added to the FIFA international list in 2018, Artan became the first Somali official at the Africa Cup of Nations in 2024. Urging aspiring officials to "never stop dreaming," he said, "I believe that if I can succeed, anyone can.
69 Articles
69 Articles
Refused by the US authorities last summer, the 34-year-old Somali whistle was chosen by UEFA as an officer at the PSG-Aston Villa meeting on Wednesday in Salzburg.
Before the World Cup Omar Artan was denied entry to the USA, FIFA proved powerless. Now the Somali referee for the UEFA whistles the Supercup - and becomes a signal against Gianni Infantino.
Somali referee Omar Artan has been assigned as the first non-European referee for the UEFA Super Cup. Referee Artan, who previously faced controversy for being denied entry into the United States, signaled a successful return by taking the whistle again in the match between PSG and Aston Villa.
The Referee Who Could Not Enter the United States for the World Cup Will Lead the European Super Cup
UEFA claims Somali referee Omar Artan, after the U.S. banned him from leading in the World past.
After having the dream of playing in the 2026 World Cup frustrated by having his entry into the United States denied in June, Somali referee Omar Artan was invited by Uefa to the final of the Super Cup between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa, which will be held on Wednesday (12).
Polish international Matty Cash is playing for the English team. Somali Omar Abdulkadir Artan, who was denied entry to the United States for the World Cup, will be the referee. PSG is defending its title. Both teams have already won the UEFA Super Cup. PSG is defending the title they won a year ago after defeating Tottenham Hotspur. Aston Villa won the trophy for the first and only time in the 1982/83 season, defeating Barcelona. The clubs are a…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 48% of the sources lean Right
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
