Omar Artan, the Somali referee who was denied entry to the United States ahead of the World Cup, has been appointed to officiate the UEFA Super Cup final between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa. The match will take place on 12 August at Stadion Salzburg in Austria, pitting the winners of the Champions League against the holders of the Europa League.
In a statement on Thursday, UEFA confirmed the appointment after discussions with the Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF). Artan, who received the 2025 CAF Men’s Referee of the Year Award, is widely regarded as one of the world's top officials.
A Controversial Denial
Artan had been scheduled to officiate his first World Cup fixture this summer, but was denied entry to the US at Miami International Airport. Border authorities deemed him “inadmissible due to vetting concerns,” according to reports. Artan told The New York Times on Tuesday that he was questioned for 11 hours about his documentation and career before being taken to a holding cell and flown to Istanbul.
“I am very, very disappointed,” he said. “I’m just simply a referee who’s trying to live his dream, the biggest dream of my life, to come to the World Cup.” He added that he had the “right papers” and the “right visa.”
The incident has drawn criticism from football officials and human rights advocates, who argue that the US entry system unfairly targets individuals from certain countries. FIFA President Gianni Infantino has dismissed the controversy, but the case has highlighted broader concerns about travel restrictions.
UEFA's Response
UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin praised Artan as an “excellent young but already experienced referee, who has proven himself at the highest competition level of the Confederation of African Football.” He added, “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.”
The appointment is seen as a symbolic gesture by European football's governing body, which has often positioned itself as a counterweight to restrictive immigration policies. The Super Cup final will be Artan's highest-profile assignment to date, and it comes at a time when European football is increasingly global in its outlook.
PSG, returning to Paris after their Champions League triumph in Budapest, will face Aston Villa, who won the Europa League. The match in Salzburg promises to be a showcase not only of top-tier football but also of UEFA's commitment to diversity and inclusion.
Artan's story has resonated across Europe, where many see parallels with broader debates about migration and border control. The EU has recently seen proposals for tougher entry rules from five member states, while the continent continues to grapple with its own identity as a union of open borders.
For Artan, the Super Cup final is a chance to reclaim his career after a devastating setback. “I’m just a referee trying to live his dream,” he said. In Salzburg, he will have that opportunity on one of football's biggest stages.
