Banned World Cup Referee Leaves 5

Somali referee Omar Artan sent a clear message following the UEFA Super Cup final between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa on Wednesday night after being banned from the 2026 World Cup.

The 34-year-old was selected as the first non-European to ever officiate the Super Cup shortly after his World Cup heartbreak. Artan travelled to the USA as one of Africa's top referees, only to be turned away at the border.

Donald Trump's administration released a statement claiming that an investigation found 'derogatory information, including association with suspected members of terror organisations'. The referee had secured a visa and diplomatic passport but was still denied entry to the country.

Omar Artan Makes Feelings Clear After World Cup Axe

As he wasn't allowed in the host country, Artan was dropped by FIFA. He later revealed he was subject to an 11-hour immigration interview and wasn't told the reason for his ban.

Speaking to The New York Times (per The Sun), he said: "I am very, very disappointed. I had the right papers and everything. I had the right visa. I’m just simply a referee who’s trying to live his dream, the biggest dream of my life, to come to the World Cup."

UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin explained the reason behind Artan's appointment for the Super Cup clash between PSG and Aston Villa. In a statement, he 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."

Per the UEFA website, Artan expressed his pride at the opportunity to oversee the European Super Cup. "It was a very tough period," he admits. "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."

Omar Artan Leaves Note After World Cup Ban

Following PSG's 2-1 win against Unai Emery's Villans, Artan made his gratitude known with a five-word message. He wrote a note for UEFA on the match ball, which read: "This was my World Cup."

More was written on the ball, thanking the governing body of European football, but that message stood out. Artan was denied the actual World Cup, so he's made the most of being given the whistle for another major game.

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