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
Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan will officiate the UEFA Super Cup soccer final between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa. This match marks a significant milestone as Artan becomes the first non-European referee to officiate a Super Cup final. According to El Pais English, the event will take place at the Red Bull Arena in Salzburg, Austria.
Artan's selection for the Super Cup comes after he was denied entry to the US in June, despite being chosen by FIFA to referee at the World Cup. Premium Times reports that Artan was turned away at Miami International Airport. Yahoo Sports states that he was denied entry due to alleged links to "suspected members of terror organisations", making him a "national security threat".
Artan, 34, received a hero's welcome upon returning to Somalia after being barred from the World Cup. He was subsequently awarded the UEFA Super Cup match. Yahoo Sports also mentions that Artan was named Africa's referee of the year in 2025.
Brief written by urgent.news from El Pais English, Premium Times, Yahoo Sports — 3 reports on this story. Machine-written — it may contain errors, so check the original before relying on it.
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