Somali referee Omar Artan will officiate the upcoming UEFA Super Cup clash between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa. With this appointment, Artan makes history as the first non-European referee to take charge of a UEFA Super Cup fixture.
Artan previously attracted significant attention during the 2026 World Cup when he was turned away by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at Miami International Airport. Despite holding a valid diplomatic passport and official visa, he was denied entry over alleged ties to suspected terrorist organization members.
In an interview with the New York Times, Artan recounted an 11-hour interrogation covering his travel purpose, Somali political affairs, and the Al-Shabab militant group. Although he presented official credentials provided by FIFA, he was detained and deported to Istanbul, Turkey. Despite missing out on World Cup matches, FIFA honored his agreement by paying his full salary, and he received a hero's welcome upon his return to Mogadishu.
UEFA's decision to appoint Artan for the European Super Cup is widely seen as a symbolic compensation gesture, turning a distressing experience in the United States into a historic landmark for African officiating.
Match Details:
- Fixture: PSG vs Aston Villa (UEFA Super Cup)
- Kick-off Time: 02:00 (August 13)
- Main Referee: Omar Artan (Somalia)