Omar Artan — the Somali World Cup referee refused entry to the United States — has spoken about the “very tough period” during what should have been the highlight of his career: overseeing games at a World Cup.
The 34-year-old was denied entry at Miami international airport in early June as Somalia is one of 12 countries on America’s travel ban list, with FIFA president Gianni Infantino suggesting he was powerless to overrule president Donald Trump‘s administration.
But within days of him being sent home UEFA stepped in and appointed him as the first non-European to officiate the Super Cup final, with Aston Villa and Paris Saint-Germain meeting in Salzburg on Wednesday.
“It was a very tough period,” said Artan, who has watched a lot of European football and done his research on the two teams involved. “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.”
On his UEFA Super Cup appointment he added: “When we got this call it was, for me and my family, really a very, very happy moment.
“There’s a big Somali community in Europe and in Austria, and they are over the moon with me officiating a match like this.”
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Despite being barred from entering the U.S. and missing out on the chance to referee at the World Cup, Artan received his full payment for the tournament from FIFA.
Information from PA was used in this report.
