Somali denied World Cup ‘proud’ to referee PSG vs Villa in UEFA Super Cup

Somali referee Omar Artan, who was denied entry to the United States and unable to officiate at the World Cup 2026, will now referee the UEFA Super Cup match between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa. Artan was turned away at Miami International Airport due to allegations of association with suspected members of terrorist organizations, which he denies. These allegations caused outrage in Somalia and prompted FIFA President Gianni Infantino to comment on the situation. In response to the incident, UEFA offered Artan the opportunity to officiate the Super Cup, a decision he expressed pride in.

The UEFA Super Cup match between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa will feature Somali referee Omar Artan, who was previously barred from the World Cup by the United States due to unspecified vetting concerns. UEFA's decision to appoint Artan, the reigning African referee of the year, to officiate the Super Cup is seen as a political move amidst growing tension between UEFA and FIFA, particularly concerning FIFA President Gianni Infantino's actions. The article also touches on PSG's returning World Cup stars and potential player movements for both clubs. Artan expressed gratitude for the opportunity after a challenging period.