Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleSomali referee Omar Artan is set to make history as the first non-European official to referee the Uefa Super Cup, overseeing Wednesday's match between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa in Salzburg. The 34-year-old's historic appointment follows a devastating setback earlier this summer when he was turned away by US Customs and Border Protection ahead of the World Cup despite holding a valid visa. US officials cited alleged connections to suspected members of terror organisations for denying Artan entry, amid broader immigration travel bans enacted under US president Donald Trump affecting Somali citizens. Artan, who was named Caf Men's Referee of the Year after becoming the first Somali to officiate a Caf Champions League final, described missing out on the World Cup as a deeply challenging period. The landmark assignment comes as part of a strategic cooperation agreement signed earlier this year between Uefa and the Confederation of African Football to enhance collaboration between the governing bodies. In fullTrailblazing Somali referee opens up on ‘very tough period’ after being refused entry to US for World CupMore bulletinsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
Somali referee to make history after missing out on World Cup dream
Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleSomali referee Omar Artan is set to make history as the first non-European official to referee the Uefa Super Cup, overseeing Wednesday's match between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa in Salzburg. The 34-year-old's historic appointment follows a devastating setback earlier this summer when he was turned away by US Customs and Border Protection ahead of the World Cup despite holding a valid visa. US officials cited alleged connections to suspected members of terror organisations for denying Artan entry, amid broader immigration travel bans enacted under US president Donald Trump affecting Somali citizens. Artan, who was named Caf Men's Referee of the Year after becoming the first Somali to officiate a Caf Champions League final, described missing out on the World Cup as a deeply challenging period. The landmark assignment comes as part of a strategic cooperation agreement signed earlier this year between Uefa and the Confederation of African Football to enhance collaboration between the governing bodies. In fullTrailblazing Somali referee opens up on ‘very tough period’ after being refused entry to US for World CupMore bulletinsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
