Somali Referee Omar Artan Officiates UEFA Super Cup After US Entry Denial

Sat Jun 13 2026 13:40:32 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Despite being barred from the US for the World Cup, Omar Artan will referee the UEFA Super Cup between PSG and Aston Villa in Salzburg this summer.

Omar Artan, a Somali referee who lost his chance to officiate at the 2026 World Cup after being denied entry into the United States, has been selected to take charge of the UEFA Super Cup in Salzburg. The match pits former Champions League winners Paris Saint‑Germain against Europa League champions Aston Villa on 12 August. UEFA confirmed the appointment after discussions with CAF, citing Artan’s outstanding track record and experience at the highest level of African football. The decision underscores the tensions between sports governance and immigration policy. The incident highlighted questions about the fairness of travel bans and the role of FIFA in protecting officials’ careers.

Somali Referee Omar Artan Officiates UEFA Super Cup After US Entry Denial

A dramatic twist in international football saw former FIFA‑listed referee Omar Artan, who was denied entry to the United States for the 2026 World Cup, selected to oversee the UEFA Super Cup between Paris Saint‑Germain and Aston Villa this August.

The one‑day exhibition match, currently scheduled for 12 August in Salzburg, will pit Champions League champions Paris Saint‑Germain against Europa League winners Aston Villa. Artan, 2025 CAF men's referee of the year, had hoped to be the first Somali to officiate at a World Cup finals, but was turned away at Miami’s border controls despite holding a diplomatic passport and a single‑entry U.S. visa.

“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,” UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin said. “Football is made to connect people, and UEFA wants to show its respect to Omar and his outstanding officiating skills.” The decision followed talks between UEFA and CAF, with CAF president Patrice Motsepe reportedly backing the move.

The U.S. government cited Artan’s “association with suspected members of terror organisations” as the reason for denying him entry, reflecting the broader travel‑ban list introduced during the Trump administration. FIFA confirmed that Artan would miss the World Cup, a setback that has sparked discussion about athlete and official safety in the face of political gatekeeping.

The appointment highlights stark contrasts between global sports bodies' mission to promote unity and the divergent immigration policies that can hamper their staff. While UEFA managed to secure Artan’s participation in a major match, the incident underlines the ongoing debate about international fairness and accountability.

For more context, you can explore related coverage, such as the story on “Who is the Somali referee barred from entering the US for the World Cup?” on BBC’s news site.

Published: 1 hour ago