​  ​​Read More​     Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan has been chosen to take charge of the UEFA Super Cup final, after his FIFA World Cup aspirations were blocked by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers in Miami.Artan has been appointed to oversee the final, which will pit Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain against Europa League winners Aston Villa in Salzburg, Austria, on Aug. 12. Artan had been picked by FIFA to work at the World Cup, but he was refused entry into the U.S. and returned home.The Somali official was detained at Miami International Airport for multiple hours following his arrival from Istanbul, and despite presenting his FIFA credentials and visa, CBP cited vetting issues. FIFA President Gianni Infantino described it as “unfortunate,” but UEFA has now intervened, as per The Mirror US.Trump administration denies World Cup referee entry over terrorism concernsUEFA President Aleksander Ceferin said the organization ‘wants to show its respect to Omar and his outstanding officiating skills’ after announcing he would officiate the Super Cup final -Credit:Nicolò Campo/LightRocket via Getty ImagesThe move to assign Artan follows his exclusion from the World Cup, which would have allowed him to collect up to $100,000 for handling group-stage matches. U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration issued strong statements that Artan’s denial was connected to terrorism concerns.Artan has built a standing as one of Africa’s finest referees and took charge of the second leg of the 2025/26 CAF Champions League final. He also claimed the CAF Men’s Referee of the Year Award in 2025.A Memorandum of Understanding was recently signed between UEFA (the European federation) and CAF (the African federation) to foster collaboration across numerous areas, including officiating. As a direct result of the agreement, Artan will now take charge of a marquee European game to open the new season.Aleksander Ceferin, the UEFA president, said: “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, which had earned him such a prestigious nomination. I am grateful to my friend CAF President Patrice Motsepe for supporting enthusiastically our initiative.”To listen to the latest episode of ‘All Out Soccer’ – CLICK HEREDr. Patrice Motsepe, the CAF president, said: “Omar Artan has made Somalia and the entire people of the African Continent, extremely proud. His receipt of the CAF Men’s Referee of the Year Award 2025 and his appointment as a referee of the FIFA World Cup 2026 are a recognition of his world-class refereeing ability and the international respect that he enjoys.”I am very thankful to my friend, Aleksander Ceferin for