Somali referee Omar Artan has been given a prestigious European assignment just weeks after being denied the opportunity to officiate at the World Cup in the United States.
Uefa has announced that Artan will take charge of the Super Cup clash between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa in Salzburg on August 12, a move widely seen as a show of support for the highly-rated official.
The match will pit Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain against Europa League champions Aston Villa in one of European football’s biggest curtain-raisers ahead of the new season.
Artan was originally set to make history as the first Somali referee to officiate at a FIFA World Cup finals tournament. However, his dream ended abruptly when he was refused entry into the United States despite travelling with a diplomatic passport and a valid single-entry visa.
FIFA later confirmed that the official would miss the tournament after discussions with American authorities.
According to US officials, Artan was denied entry because of an alleged association with suspected members of terrorist organisations. Somalia is among the countries affected by travel restrictions introduced by President Donald Trump.
Artan has strongly denied any such links.
Speaking to The New York Times, the referee said he was questioned by border officials about connections to the Somali militant group Al Shabab but insisted he knew nothing about the organisation.
He said he had travelled with the correct documentation and described missing the World Cup as the loss of a lifelong dream.
Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin praised Artan’s achievements and explained that the decision to appoint him to the Super Cup followed discussions with the Confederation of African Football (Caf).
Ceferin described Artan as a talented and experienced referee who has already demonstrated his ability at the highest levels of African football.
The Uefa chief added that football should unite people and said the appointment was intended to recognise Artan’s officiating abilities and the achievement of being selected for the World Cup in the first place.
The move was also backed by Caf president Patrice Motsepe.
Artan’s reputation has grown significantly in recent years. He was named Caf Men’s Referee of the Year in 2025 and has been on FIFA’s international referees list since 2018.
The appointment means the Somali official will now oversee one of Europe’s most high-profile fixtures, offering him another opportunity to showcase his abilities on the international stage after the disappointment of missing the World Cup.
For Artan, the Super Cup assignment represents both recognition of his talent and a chance to turn a painful setback into a memorable career milestone.
