Somali referee Omar Artan will become the first non-European official to take charge of a UEFA Super Cup match when Paris Saint-Germain face Aston Villa in Salzburg, Austria, on Wednesday, August 12.
Artan, 34, is one of African football's leading referees. He was the first Somali to officiate a Confederation of African Football (CAF) Champions League final and has won the CAF African Referee of the Year award.
Cooperation agreement with CAF
UEFA said Artan's appointment is part of a cooperation agreement signed with CAF this year to expand collaboration between the two organizations. CAF president Patrice Motsepe said in a statement published by UEFA on Monday that the appointment was a great honor for Artan and for African referees.
Blocked from the World Cup
Artan had also been selected to work at the 2026 World Cup, but was blocked from entering the United States by Customs and Border Protection despite holding a valid visa. He said it had been a very difficult period, and that many people had shown him empathy, since it is hard when someone works for years toward something and is then suddenly unable to do it.
Strict immigration policies under U.S. President Donald Trump caused concern during the World Cup. Last year the American government imposed broad entry restrictions on citizens of 12 countries, including Somalia. A U.S. government official said Artan had been denied entry over alleged links to suspected members of terrorist organizations.
Path to the Super Cup
Artan joined FIFA's international referees list in 2018 and in 2024 became the first Somali referee to work at the Africa Cup of Nations. He said that if he could succeed, anyone could, and urged people to never stop dreaming.
Wednesday's match in Salzburg pits PSG, the Champions League title holders, against Aston Villa, winners of the Europa League.
