UEFA Super Cup was my World Cup – Somali referee
August 13, 2026 7:49 pm
FILE: Omar Artan
Somali referee Omar Artan has described officiating the UEFA Super Cup between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa as his “World Cup” after being denied the opportunity to referee at the tournament itself.
The 34-year-old was part of the panel of referees selected by FIFA for the World Cup but was refused entry to the United States when he arrived at Miami International Airport.
Following the incident, UEFA invited Artan to officiate the Super Cup in Salzburg, where Paris Saint-Germain defeated Aston Villa 2-1.
On Thursday, UEFA shared a photograph on X showing a match ball from the fixture on which Artan had written: “This was my World Cup.”
UEFA captioned the post: “A special Super Cup souvenir from Omar Artan.”
Artan was unable to take part in the World Cup after US authorities denied him entry to the country.
A US State Department official told AFP at the time that the referee was “associated with suspected members of terrorist organizations”, making him “ineligible for admission to the United States.”
Artan rejected the allegations, which sparked outrage in Somalia, where he was welcomed as a hero following his return.
His appointment to officiate the UEFA Super Cup provided a major opportunity to take charge of a high-profile international fixture despite missing the World Cup.
On Thursday, Artan took to Instagram to thank UEFA and the Confederation of African Football for their support.
“Thanks to everyone who made this possible,” he wrote.
The Super Cup assignment marked a significant moment in Artan’s refereeing career and offered him the opportunity to officiate on one of European football’s biggest stages.
Gilbert Ekugbe is a journalist at Punch Newspapers with over a decade of experience reporting on business and economic affairs. He covers markets, corporate developments, finance, and Nigeria’s broader economic landscape. His reporting is informed by extensive newsroom experience and a strong commitment to accuracy and responsible journalism, helping readers understand complex business issues.
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