Somali referee Omar Artan, who was denied entry to the United States for the World Cup, was on Thursday named to officiate UEFA's Super Cup, European football's governing body announced.
Artan, 34, was named among match officials for the June 11-July 19 World Cup but was forced to miss the tournament after U.S. authorities refused him entry despite having a valid visa.
UEFA said on Thursday that his appointment for the Super Cup followed discussions with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and formed part of a recently signed cooperation agreement between the two bodies.
The Aug. 12 match in Salzburg, Austria, pits Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain against Europa League holders Aston Villa.
UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin poured praise on the Somali referee in a statement released a few hours before the global body FIFA's flagship World Cup was to start.
