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.
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107 Articles
Paris Saint-Germain wins the Uefa Supercup, causing Aston Villa more problems than Omar Artan. The referee from Somalia was allowed to lead the game after having been denied entry to the World Cup.
By Aleks Klosok, CNN For Omar Abdulkadir Artan, he promised to be the opportunity of his life.After a decade opening new paths and inspiring a generation of African referees, his appearance on the most important stage of all, the World Cup, was destined to be the highlight of his still flourishing career as a referee.Incorporated The post He was denied entry to the United States for the World Cup, but Somali referee Omar Artan is about to make h…
Deprived of his first World Cup this summer despite his status as the best African referee, he will be at the whistle this Wednesday 12 August for the Supercute d'Europe between the PSG and Aston Villa, at the invitation of the European football body.
UEFA compensates Somali referee who was vetoed by the US during World Cup
Omar Artan is refereeing Wednesday’s Super Cup final in Salzburg between PSG and Aston Villa. The game is being played against a backdrop of tension between the European soccer governing body and FIFA boss Gianni Infantino
Who Is the Referee for the Paris Saint-Germain vs. Aston Villa Match in the 2026 European Super Cup?
The UEFA Referees Committee has announced the appointment of Somali referee Omar Artan to officiate the 2026 UEFA Super Cup match between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa.
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