Visa Denial Won’t Stop Somali Referee Omar Artan as He’s Named for PSG vs. Villa Super Cup Final

Somali referee Omar Artan has been appointed to officiate the 2026 UEFA Super Cup final between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa on August 12 in Salzburg, Austria, despite recent visa issues. Artan, 34, Africa’s Referee of the Year, was denied entry to the United States while preparing for World Cup duties in Miami over undisclosed vetting concerns. He has since returned to Somalia. UEFA’s decision follows a new cooperation agreement with the Confederation of African Football. President Aleksander Ceferin praised Artan’s performance at the highest level and highlighted UEFA’s commitment to unity and non-discrimination. This appointment marks the first time an African official will take charge of a major UEFA final.

Use The App To Win ₦1m

Stories are shared by community members. This article does not represent the official view of NaijaWorld — the author is solely responsible for its content.