By our reporter 11.6.2026
Deported by US authorities and disappointed by world football governing body FIFA, Somali referee Omar Artan will be at the centre for the UEFA Super Cup final between PSG and Aston Villa.
Artan who is Africa’s best referee in 2025 was refused entry into the United States to officiate at the FIFA World Cup starting Thursday, despite having a valid US visa to enter the country. He was turned back at the Miami Airport. According to US immigration authorities Artan was a person of concern.
Rather than reassign him to Canada or Mexico to officiate, FIFA wished him a safe journey back home and asked everyone “to relax” in the words of FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
But on Thursday UEFA announced that they have selected Artan to run the Super Cup billed for August 12 in Salzburg, Austria.
“We’re pleased to share that Somali referee Omar Artan will officiate the highly anticipated match between PSG and Aston Villa in Salzburg,” UEFA posted on its X social media platform.