U.S. Customs and Border Protection refused to let Somali referee Omar Artan into Miami on June 6, despite the 34-year-old holding a valid American visa and arriving from Istanbul to officiate at the FIFA World Cup.
A CBP spokesperson said the traveler, a FIFA World Cup referee, was found inadmissible following the inspection process due to concerns raised during vetting, and that admissibility decisions are made case by case using law enforcement, national security and immigration information available at the time, with officers authorized to question travelers and determine admissibility under U.S. law.
Somalia is among the countries whose citizens face an almost total entry ban to the United States under President Donald Trump. The rules allow exceptions, including for athletes, but no exception was made for Artan, who was named Africa's best referee in 2025.
UEFA steps in
UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin contacted Confederation of African Football president Patrice Motsepe, who welcomed the idea of having the Somali referee take charge of the European Super Cup. Artan learned of the offer at home. He said that when the phone rang, he and his whole family were truly very happy.
Artan will become the first referee from outside Europe to take charge of the match on the continent. Paris Saint-Germain, winners of the Champions League, face Aston Villa, winners of the Europa League, on Wednesday in Salzburg. Both clubs are led by Spanish coaches, Luis Enrique and Unai Emery. The two sides also met in the April 2025 Champions League quarterfinal, with PSG winning the tie 3-1 and 2-3 on aggregate. PSG went on to beat Arsenal on penalties in the final to defend their title, while Aston Villa won the Europa League and Crystal Palace won the Conference League.
Big-money moves for both clubs
PSG, whose squad is valued at 1.39 billion euros, have sold players worth 159 million euros this summer, including Gonzalo Ramos to AC Milan for 74 million and Randal Kolo Muani to Juventus for 41.2 million. Kang-in Lee joined Atletico Madrid for 40 million, and Bradley Barcola's move to Liverpool would be the most expensive yet if completed. PSG signed Ferran Torres from Barcelona, Maghnes Akliouche from Monaco for 50 million, and Lucas Digne from Aston Villa for 7 million.
Aston Villa's squad, valued at 530 million euros, lost Morgan Rogers to Chelsea for 138 million, Youri Tielemans to Manchester United for 41 million, and Donyell Malen to AS Roma for 25 million. The club brought in Johan Monzambi from Freiburg for 60 million and Joao Gomes from Wolverhampton for 40 million, and loaned in Alejandro Garnacho from Chelsea. The Super Cup kicks off Wednesday at 21:00, broadcast on Canal+ Sport and Canal+ Extra 1.
