Somali referee Omar Artan has been handed a high-profile appointment by UEFA after missing out on officiating at the FIFA Club World Cup following his denial of entry into the United States.
Artan will take charge of the UEFA Super Cup clash between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa on August 12 in Salzburg. The match will see Champions League winners PSG face Europa League champions Aston Villa in one of Europe’s biggest curtain-raiser fixtures.
UEFA said the appointment was made after discussions with the Confederation of African Football (CAF), a move that many see as a strong vote of confidence in the Somali official after the disappointment of being unable to participate in the Club World Cup.
UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin praised Artan’s achievements, describing him as a talented referee who has consistently proven himself at the highest level of African football. He said the appointment reflects UEFA’s respect for Artan’s professionalism and officiating abilities.
The 2025 CAF Men’s Referee of the Year was on course to make history as the first Somali referee selected to officiate at a World Cup-level tournament. Artan, who has been on FIFA’s international referees list since 2018, was expected to be among the match officials at the Club World Cup in the United States.
However, his plans were cut short after he was stopped by U.S. immigration authorities in Miami despite holding a diplomatic passport and a valid visa. American officials later cited concerns over alleged links to individuals suspected of involvement with terrorist organisations. FIFA subsequently confirmed that Artan would not take part in the tournament, but his appointment to the UEFA Super Cup now offers a significant opportunity on one of football’s biggest stages.
Elijah Adeyemi
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