UEFA hands World Cup-banned referee Omar Artan the PSG vs Aston Villa Super Cup

UEFA has appointed Somali referee Omar Artan to officiate the 2026 UEFA Super Cup between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa in Salzburg on 12 August, in a pointed show of solidarity after he was barred from entering the United States and stripped of his FIFA World Cup role.

Artan had been selected as one of Africa’s refereeing representatives for the World Cup, but was turned away by US Customs and Border Protection at Miami International Airport and placed on a return flight to Turkey. He maintained he “had the right papers and the right visa”, while the Trump administration stated he was refused entry because he “was seeking admission to the United States”.

The decision drew widespread condemnation from the football world, and UEFA’s response has been swift and deliberate. In a joint statement with the Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF), with whom UEFA recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation including in refereeing, the governing body confirmed Artan’s appointment and outlined his credentials.

“Despite his young age, Artan has established himself as one of the world’s top referees and has been on the FIFA international list since 2018,” the statement read. “Among the most notable matches he has officiated is the second leg of the 2025/26 CAF Champions League final. In recognition of his performances, he received the CAF Men’s Referee of the Year Award 2025.”

UEFA president Alexander Ceferin added his personal endorsement: “Omar Artan is an excellent young but already experienced referee, who has proven himself at the highest competition level of the Confederation of African Football. Football is made to connect people, and UEFA wants to show its respect to Omar and his outstanding officiating skills.”

The statement closed with a broader declaration of principle, with UEFA and CAF affirming they are “united by a shared commitment to developing football at all levels and promoting the core values of unity, equality and non-discrimination.”

Artan will now take charge of one of European football’s most prestigious season-opening fixtures, with Champions League winners PSG facing Europa League winners Aston Villa at the Red Bull Arena in Salzburg.