Super Cup: PSG vs Aston Villa, UEFA vs FIFA and the Somali ref barred from the World Cup

The UEFA Super Cup between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa is set to take place in Salzburg on Wednesday. This marks the first match of the new European soccer season. The annual game offers an opportunity for UEFA to showcase their power at the expense of FIFA, amid a growing disconnect between the two soccer governing bodies.

Referee Omar Artan, a Somali official barred from officiating at the World Cup due to vetting concerns, will preside over the Super Cup. Artan was praised as the best referee in Africa last season, and UEFA chose him for this match, considering it a clever political move.

This selection has garnered significant interest, as PSG aims to become the second team in the modern era to retain the Super Cup, following Real Madrid's victories in 2016 and 2017. PSG players returned to preseason training at different times following their participation in the World Cup. Key players like Ousmane Dembélé, Désiré Doué, Bradley Barcola, and Fabián Ruiz have returned while star winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who didn't qualify for Georgia's World Cup participation, is set to start.

Meanwhile, Aston Villa, making their fourth full season under coach Emery, will see changes in their lineup with former Villa player Lucas Digne returning to the club for a reported 10 million euros. The team will also welcome new signings Johan Manzambi and Joao Gomes, though Emi Martinez, Ollie Watkins, and Ezri Konsa haven't yet returned to training.