UEFA Hands Somali Referee Artan Super Cup Appointment After US World Cup Ban

Somali referee Omar Artan, who was recently denied entry into the United States for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, has been appointed to officiate the UEFA Super Cup between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa, UEFA announced on Thursday.
The decision comes just days after Artan was barred from entering the US upon arrival at Miami International Airport, preventing him from taking up his World Cup duties.
Despite the controversy, European football’s governing body moved swiftly to recognise the Somali official’s credentials, naming him referee for the prestigious Super Cup clash scheduled for 12 August in Salzburg, Austria.
The annual curtain-raiser will pit UEFA Champions League winners ...