The Somali referee who saw his FIFA World Cup dreams go up in smoke when he referees entry into the United States, has been appointed by UEFA to take charge of the UEFA Super Cup final between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa on 12 August.
Thirty-four-year-old Omar Artan, who returned to Mogadishu on Wednesday, was denied entry to the U.S. when he landed in Miami earlier this week to join up with the World Cup match officials based in the Florida city.
A statement by U.S. Border and Customs Protection cited “vetting concerns” for Artan’s removal from the country.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino told critics football’s governing body not get involved in immigration processes when asked about FIFA’s failure to resolve the issue to enable Artan, regarded as Africa’s top referee, to enter the U.S.
With controversy still raging over his exclusion, UEFA has now appointed Artan to take charge of the Super Cup, the annual pre-season clash between the Champions League and Europa League winners, in Salzburg, Austria.
