What a move by UEFA!
The United States did not allow Somali referee Omar Artan, the referee delegated for the World Cup, to enter the country. FIFA did not protect him in any way, but the European Football Union did.
Artana has been delegated by UEFA to referee the Super Cup final, which will be played on August 12th in Salzburg between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa.
For the first time, the final of a UEFA competition will be refereed by a referee from another continent, but that is not the main news - the main thing is the solidarity of UEFA bodies and FIFA's wall of silence before the American authorities.
"Despite his young age, Artan has established himself as one of the best referees in the world and has been on the FIFA international list since 2018. Among the most significant matches he has refereed is the second leg of the CAF Champions League final in the 2025/26 season. In recognition of his performances, he received the CAF Men's Referee of the Year Award for 2025," UEFA said in a statement.
This is also added:
"FIFA included Artan on the list of officials for the 2026 World Cup, but he was unable to participate because he was not allowed to enter the United States of America. The decision to appoint Artan as the main referee of the UEFA Super Cup match was made within the framework of the Memorandum of Understanding recently signed by UEFA and CAF (Confederation of African Football), with the aim of strengthening cooperation in a number of areas, including refereeing. UEFA and CAF are linked by a shared commitment to the development of football at all levels, as well as to the promotion of the fundamental values of unity, equality and non-discrimination."
Upon his return to Somalia, after being denied entry into the United States, Omar Artan was given a grand welcome in his own country.
UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin said:
"Omar Artan is an excellent and young, but already very experienced referee, who has proven himself at the highest level of the Confederation of African Football competition. Football exists to bring people together, and UEFA wants to pay tribute to Omar and his exceptional refereeing qualities, which have earned him such a prestigious nomination. I am grateful to my friend, CAF President Patrice Motsepe, for his strong support for this initiative," Čeferin stressed.
The reaction of CAF President Dr. Patrice Motsepe has also arrived:
"Omar Artan has made Somalia and the entire African continent extremely proud. Winning the CAF Men's Referee of the Year award for 2025 and being appointed to referee the 2026 World Cup is a testament to his superb refereeing skills and the international reputation he enjoys. I am very grateful to my friend Aleksander Čeferin for allowing Omar Artan to referee the 2026 UEFA Super Cup. This is a great honour for Omar Artan and African referees, and a great example of how football connects and unites people."
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