'This was my World Cup' says Somali ref after UEFA Super Cup
PARIS: Somali referee Omar Artan described taking charge of Wednesday’s UEFA Super Cup between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa in Salzburg as his “World Cup.”
Somali referee Omar Artan described officiating the UEFA Super Cup between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa as his World Cup. The 34-year-old was denied entry to the United States, despite being part of the FIFA panel for the World Cup. Artan wrote "This was my World Cup" on the match ball, which UEFA shared in a photo. He was welcomed as a hero upon his return to Somalia, where he was accused of being associated with suspected terrorist organizations.
UEFA justified the decision to appoint Artan by referencing an agreement with CAF to foster cooperation between the two confederations, and it serves as a political gesture given UEFA's ongoing conflict with FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
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