3 weeks ago
Snubbed Somali referee Omar Artan to officiate UEFA Super Cup
There is a man named Omar Artan who is a football referee from Somalia.
He was chosen to help referee games at the World Cup, the biggest football tournament in the world.
But when he flew to the United States in June, border officials stopped him.
They asked him questions for about 11 hours and then said he could not enter the country.
Officials thought he might be connected to people from a bad group called Al Shabab, but Omar said he knew nothing about them and that his papers were correct.
He was very sad because he had worked for many years for this chance.
But people all over the world supported him, and the head of FIFA, Gianni Infantino, said it was unfortunate what happened.
Now Omar has been chosen to referee the UEFA Super Cup, a big match between two top teams, Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa.
He will be the first referee from outside Europe to lead this match, and he still dreams of refereeing the World Cup in 2030.
Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan was refused entry to the United States in June, blocking him from officiating at the FIFA World Cup.
US border officials questioned Artan for about 11 hours at Miami International Airport before denying him admission despite his diplomatic passport and valid single-entry US visa.
A US government official cited alleged links to individuals suspected of belonging to terrorist organisations, a claim Artan firmly denied, saying he knew nothing about Al Shabab.
Artan will become the first non-European referee to take charge of the UEFA Super Cup in Salzburg, after UEFA announced he would referee the match.
The Super Cup features Champions League winner Paris Saint-Germain against Europa League winner Aston Villa, and Artan aims to officiate at the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino called the snub unfortunate, saying 'We don't control everything,' while Artan said he was proud and appreciated worldwide support.
- Who
- Omar Abdulkadir Artan, a 34-year-old Somali football referee, with FIFA President Gianni Infantino commenting on the case.
- What
- Artan was refused entry to the US and barred from officiating at the FIFA World Cup, and was then appointed to referee the UEFA Super Cup as its first non-European referee.
- Where
- Artan was denied entry at Miami International Airport in the United States; the Super Cup will be played in Salzburg, Austria.
- When
- The US entry refusal happened in June 2026; the UEFA Super Cup is scheduled for Thursday 13 August 2026 per one report, though another article says Wednesday.
- Why
- A US official cited alleged links to individuals suspected of belonging to terrorist organisations, making Artan 'ineligible for admission to the US' - a claim Artan firmly denied, insisting his paperwork and visa were in order.
Artan and his supporters
US government
Reason for the US entry denial
Artan and his supporters
Artan firmly denied any association with terrorist organisations, said officials only questioned him about Al Shabab and that he knew nothing about the group, and insisted his diplomatic passport and visa were in order.
US government
A US government official said Artan was 'associated with suspected members of terrorist organisations,' therefore 'making him ineligible for admission to the US.'
Key facts
- Referee
- Omar Abdulkadir Artan (34, Somali)
- Event
- UEFA Super Cup
- Match
- Paris Saint-Germain (Champions League winners) vs Aston Villa (Europa League winners)
- Venue
- Salzburg, Austria
- Date
- Thursday 13 August 2026 per one report; another article says Wednesday (August 2026)
- World Cup snub
- Refused US entry in June 2026 after about 11 hours of questioning at Miami International Airport
- Historic first
- First non-European referee to officiate the UEFA Super Cup
- Future goal
- Officiate at the 2030 FIFA World Cup
Quotes
Omar Abdulkadir Artan
Somali referee, 34, who will officiate the UEFA Super Cup
“"It was a very tough period. A lot of people have sympathy for me, because when someone has been working a lot of years and is supposed to do something, and then can’t do it, it’s very challenging. I really appreciate the support I received throughout the world, though; I’m so grateful."”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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