* I applaud UEFA and their head of referees, Roberto Rosseti, for their actions, inviting Omar Artan to officiate this prestigious UEFA’s Super Cup final—former FIFA referee Keith Hackett
* They, like myself and referees around the world, were appalled that he was denied entry to the United States and therefore ruled out of the World Cup
* I was bitterly disappointed that FIFA failed in their duty to support this referee
Maravi Express
Ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 — jointly hosted by USA, Canada and Mexico — referee Omar Artan from Somalia was denied entry into the US despite having right papers and the right visa.
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Rankled by that decision, knowing officiating at FIFA World Cup was a dream come true for the 34-year-old Somali, Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) invited him to officiate the UEFA Super Cup 2026.
He thus made history as the first non-European referee to officiate the final between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa that took place on August 12, 2026.
He was the centre referee assisted on the lines by Liban Abdoulrazack Ahmed from Djibouti and Stephen Eleazar Onyango Yiembe from Kenya.
Artan found himself at the centre of controversy after being denied entry at Miami international airport on June 6 but FIFA president, Gianni Infantino, indicated that he was powerless to overrule US President Donald Trump’s administration’s decision — as Somalia is one of 12 countries on a travel ban list introduced last year by the US.
“It was a very tough period,” Artan is quoted as saying by UEFA media. “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,” said Artan, who prepared for the UEFA Super Cup final by taking charge of league games in Somalia and the Kuwaiti Premier League.
“We referees go through a lot of preparation in terms of getting to know the teams. I always watch the teams play.
“I like watching European football anyway but, regardless, I go through and do a lot of research on the teams, how they play, learn their behaviours, tactics.”
He got to keep the matchball
One of the traditional curtain-raisers to a season to win, the UEFA Super Cup pits the Champions League winners against the Europa League winners, and is the first chance for either to win significant silverware.
The decision by the US government and the inability for FIFA to intervene also rankled former FIFA referee Keith Hackett, who applauded UEFA and their head of referees, Roberto Rosseti, “for their actions, inviting Omar Artan to officiate this prestigious game”.
In an exclusive interview with Flashscore News, Hackett said UEFA, like himself “and referees around the world, were appalled that he was denied entry to the United States”.
“I was bitterly disappointed that FIFA failed in their duty to support this referee,” he told Flashscore. “I was also disappointed that no comments were made by the group of officials who were in their pre-World Cup training camp in Miami.”
Former FIFA referee Keith Hackett
He described the Somali’s opportunity as “a great occasion for him and his colleagues” — adding: “He demonstrated good movement and positioning in this game, and an ability to adopt a low-key approach, which ensured that he wasn’t the centre of attraction and allowed things to flow well.
“The ‘big’ decisions were correct, and the players who were issued with yellow cards (Joao Gomes, John McGinn and Paul Torres can have no cause for concern.
“The one decision that I looked carefully at was the disallowed goal for PSG in the 61st minute, as on first viewing, Desire Doue scored what appeared to be a perfectly good goal.
“However, we witnessed a rather hesitant offside flag from the assistant, who appeared to be unsure. VAR intervened, and the goal was correctly reinstated.”
“In a game that was eminently watchable, the officials deserve a great deal of credit for the manner in which they conducted themselves throughout, only intervening when absolutely necessary, and giving players the benefit of the doubt in some of the more robust challenges.
“When that final whistle was blown, football was the winner, and UEFA’s support of this referee sent a message around the world that there was no place for politics in our great game.
“Referees will have been smiling that their contemporary had proved his capability and, of course, should’ve always been allowed to participate in the 2026 World Cup.
“He must now go back and continue to focus on his officiating work, to ensure his selection at the next World Cup in four years.
“Well done, Omar Artan, and well done UEFA,” said Hackett, in the interview with Flashscore’s correspondent, Jason Pettigrove.—Editing by Duncan Mlanjira; Maravi Express
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