UEFA have appointed Somalian referee Omar Artan to the Super Cup final between Paris St Germain and Aston Villa. The 34-year-old was removed by FIFA from the list of World Cup referees after he was refused entry to the USA by Customs officials at Miami International Airport. FIFA chief Gianni Infantino then caused uproar when, in a press conference on Wednesday, he said people should “chill, relax” when asked about the Artan situation. UEFA have stepped in and following discussions with the Confédération Africaine de
Football (CAF), Europe’s governing body has appointed the 2025 CAF Referee of the Year to their flagship curtain raiser on August 12. Artan has been on the FIFA international list since 2018. He had been included by FIFA in the match officials’ list for the FIFA World Cup 2026 but could not participate as he was not allowed to enter the United States. UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin said: “Omar Artan is an excellent young but already experienced referee, who has proven himself at the highest
competition level of the Confederation of African Football. “Football is made to connect people, and UEFA wants to show its respect to Omar and his outstanding officiating skills, which had earned him such a prestigious nomination. “I am grateful to my friend CAF President Patrice Motsepe for supporting enthusiastically our initiative.” Motsepe added: “Omar Artan has made Somalia and the entire people of the African Continent, extremely proud. “His receipt of the CAF Men’s Referee of the Year Award 2025 and his appointment as a
referee of the FIFA World Cup 2026 are a recognition of his world-class refereeing ability and the international respect that he enjoys. “I am very thankful to my friend, Aleksander Čeferin for enabling Omar Artan to officiate the UEFA Super Cup 2026 match. “This is a great honour for Omar Artan and for African referees and is also an excellent example of football, bringing together and uniting people from Africa and Europe and worldwide.” Click here to sign up to our sport newsletter, bringing you
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UEFA Super Cup, Omar Artan, Somalia referee, Paris St Germain, Aston Villa, Gianni Infantino, CAF Referee of the Year 2025, Miami International Airport, FIFA World Cup 2026