AFCON 2025
Somali referee Omar Artan has been appointed to officiate the UEFA Super Cup clash between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa later this summer, just weeks after being denied entry into the United States for the FIFA Club World Cup.
The prestigious fixture, which will see UEFA Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain face Europa League champions Aston Villa, is scheduled to take place on August 12 in Salzburg, Austria.
UEFA confirmed Artan’s appointment in a statement on Thursday, revealing that the decision was made following discussions with the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin praised the Somali official, describing him as one of Africa’s most promising referees.
“Omar Artan is an excellent young but already experienced referee who has proven himself at the highest competition level of the Confederation of African Football,” Ceferin said.
“Football is made to connect people, and UEFA wants to show its respect to Omar and his outstanding officiating skills, which had earned him such a prestigious nomination. I am grateful to my friend CAF President Patrice Motsepe for supporting enthusiastically our initiative.”
Artan, who was named CAF Men’s Referee of the Year in 2025 and has been on FIFA’s international referees list since 2018, was set to become the first Somali referee to officiate at a FIFA World Cup finals tournament.
However, his historic debut was halted after he was refused entry into the United States upon arrival in Miami, despite possessing a diplomatic passport and a valid single-entry U.S. visa.
A U.S. government official later stated that Artan had been denied entry because of his alleged “association with suspected members of terror organisations.”
Somalia is among several nations affected by travel restrictions introduced under U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration. Following consultations with U.S. authorities, FIFA confirmed that Artan would be unable to participate in the tournament.
His appointment to the UEFA Super Cup is widely seen as a significant gesture of support from European football’s governing body and a recognition of his growing reputation as one of Africa’s leading match officials.
