UEFA appoints Omar Artan to officiate super cup

[Emjay24]

We all remember the referee enlisted by FIFA to officiate the world cup denied entry into the US due to suspected links to Al-Shabaab, an Al-Qaeda-linked militant group operating in Somalia. It has been gathered that FIFA remain committed to paying him his fully as an officiating referee in the world cup.

Additionally, he's been appointed to officiate the super cup between PSG and Aston villa in Salzburg come August 14th. That's a good win for the young referee despite his career setback of not officiating in the world cup. Congratulations to him.

I think this is very commendable of UEFA to compensate him with the super cup. It shows some Spirit of sportsmanship and recognition of the embattled referee.

What are your thoughts on UEFA's decision?

[asriloni]

It's a nice initiation by UEFA. Their deicision to let Omar Artan to referee the supercup is clearly showing how smart they are. They are seeing it as opportunity for PR purpose. Meanwhile, it's also a big win for this somalian referee. His career can easily stepping up after this. It's symbiosis mutualism for both UEFA and him.

[Frankolala]

This has shown that he's one of their own and that's why they decided to allow him officiate the Super Cup to show that they could do nothing on the US not granting him access to officiate the ongoing world regardless that he will be paid in full as a referee to officiate the world cup the US denied him from. I am happy to hear such because football should unite the world.

[swogerino]

A good consolation prize but it was completely unjust what the US has done regarding this referee, just because his nationality is from Sudan they didn't allow entry to him to do his job. The world has become a circus where many different standards are applied to different people of different backgrounds, very few good governments nowadays yet I know a lot of good people even from bad governments that are doing something, Albania, the country where I live in to be the primary example nowadays through relentless protests every day.

[Daniel91]

A nice consolation prize for Omar Artan, but I think that in his case FIFA should have given more support and requested the American authorities to grant him a visa.
In the history of the World Cup, there has never been a case like this before, where the host country of the World Cup has banned the entry of an official referee at the World Cup, and even some members of the Iranian delegation.
This sends a very bad message about the excessive politicization of the World Cup.

[_act_]

A nice consolation prize for Omar Artan, but I think that in his case FIFA should have given more support and requested the American authorities to grant him a visa.

I am very sure they are not going to listen. FIFA would have even tried to make sure the referee was not sent back home, but that is United States for you. United States was very hostile to many countries about the world cup.

In the history of the World Cup, there has never been a case like this before, where the host country of the World Cup has banned the entry of an official referee at the World Cup, and even some members of the Iranian delegation.
This sends a very bad message about the excessive politicization of the World Cup.

Yes, but we are in Trump's time. United State has been the worst country that has ever hosted world cup. There are many people from different countries that are not allowed to to visit the United States to watch the world cup.

[Dunamisx]

We all remember the referee enlisted by FIFA to officiate the world cup denied entry into the US due to suspected links to Al-Shabaab, an Al-Qaeda-linked militant group operating in Somalia. It has been gathered that FIFA remain committed to paying him his fully as an officiating referee in the world cup.

Are they having any proof or evidence that shows to the world that is truly associated with any of the terrorist organizations or this was just a usual attack on other reasons again is participation and representation on the FIFA world cup, if FIFA could granted in this great opportunity then I don't think the US government has all it takes to make decision of denying him entry, knowing that he is just going there to make it career and not for any other thing, while I still like the way the rules story ended in another opportunity opened up for him.

[hyudien]

It is good that FIFA compensated Omar Artan, he was appointed to referee the super cup final between PSG vs Aston Villa, but also with this also illustrates FIFA cannot do anything about the US treatment of this referee, which is also a bit disappointing because Omar Artan has officially had a FIFA license. Let's hope his refereeing career remains good and maybe even better.

[Sandra_hakeem]

We all remember the referee enlisted by FIFA to officiate the world cup denied entry into the US due to suspected links to Al-Shabaab, an Al-Qaeda-linked militant group operating in Somalia. It has been gathered that FIFA remain committed to paying him his fully as an officiating referee in the world cup.

Interesting! So all he has to do now is sit home and watch from his TV, while the paycheck gets processed. He literally is getting paid for being a spectator--- it's not a better compensation afaik. His career would have surpassed the National games if this were possible.

Additionally, he's been appointed to officiate the super cup between PSG and Aston villa in Salzburg come August 14th. That's a good win for the young referee despite his career setback of not officiating in the world cup. Congratulations to him.

I think this is very commendable of UEFA to compensate him with the super cup. It shows some Spirit of sportsmanship and recognition of the embattled referee.

It's the best they can do, since their hands are tied. That's supposedly another man's country, the Americans so Trump decides on who is staying or not. It's good to know that FIFA didn't abandon him like the states did.

[JeffBrad12]

It is good that FIFA compensated Omar Artan, he was appointed to referee the super cup final between PSG vs Aston Villa, but also with this also illustrates FIFA cannot do anything about the US treatment of this referee, which is also a bit disappointing because Omar Artan has officially had a FIFA license. Let's hope his refereeing career remains good and maybe even better.

A small correction is needed in your post. It's UEFA who awarded him a chance to refereeing the Super Cup. FIFA has nothing to do with this decision. Apart from that FIFA will only compensate him to pay all of his tournament fees.

[DubemIfedigbo001]

We all remember the referee enlisted by FIFA to officiate the world cup denied entry into the US due to suspected links to Al-Shabaab, an Al-Qaeda-linked militant group operating in Somalia. It has been gathered that FIFA remain committed to paying him his fully as an officiating referee in the world cup.

Interesting! So all he has to do now is sit home and watch from his TV, while the paycheck gets processed. He literally is getting paid for being a spectator--- it's not a better compensation afaik. His career would have surpassed the National games if this were possible.

I think it would surpass national games when he officiates the super cup, but that is only a match. The world cup has more opportunities for him and I believed Artan would've done incredibly well in officiating the world cup and it would have presented him a better career boost. I like what UEFA did in this case, it is a good compensation and the dude still gets his complete cheque for his invitation to officiate world cup matches.

USA immigration policies has made this world cup less fun than it used to be TBH, lots of fans were denied entry and that is not the spirit of the game, countries playing without their fans is a huge setback because the cheering of the fans helps maintain team confidence and they play better to impress their fans who are there to cheer them.

[Daniel91]

A nice consolation prize for Omar Artan, but I think that in his case FIFA should have given more support and requested the American authorities to grant him a visa.

I am very sure they are not going to listen. FIFA would have even tried to make sure the referee was not sent back home, but that is United States for you. United States was very hostile to many countries about the world cup.

In the history of the World Cup, there has never been a case like this before, where the host country of the World Cup has banned the entry of an official referee at the World Cup, and even some members of the Iranian delegation.
This sends a very bad message about the excessive politicization of the World Cup.

Yes, but we are in Trump's time. United State has been the worst country that has ever hosted world cup. There are many people from different countries that are not allowed to to visit the United States to watch the world cup.

Then the question arises why the USA was chosen to host the World Cup in the first place? A country that has become too expensive for fans, and many of them can't even enter the country, including football referees and official members of the national team delegations? Is it just for profit? FIFA could have expected all these problems, but it is obvious that profit is more important to them than anything else.
This is not good for football and this competition.
The "old spirit" of such football competitions is being lost, as they are no longer a holiday for fans but a business event.

[karabiber]

FIFA made a nice gesture, but we must not overlook the sabotage the U.S. has inflicted on the World Cup organization. If that’s the case, FIFA should have stated that the tournament shouldn’t be held in the U.S. However, they couldn’t do that because there’s always hesitation when facing the powerful. Meanwhile, I’m witnessing the worst World Cup organization I’ve ever seen in my life, and I’m not enjoying it at all.

[Son Of Blockchain (SOB)]

This has shown that he's one of their own and that's why they decided to allow him officiate the Super Cup to show that they could do nothing on the US not granting him access to officiate the ongoing world regardless that he will be paid in full as a referee to officiate the world cup the US denied him from. I am happy to hear such because football should unite the world.

It's unfair that the US had to be too political with their decision on players and that particular official, I understand that they care about the security of their country but then the World Cup serves as an event that Unites the World instead of creating a form of disagreement or disunity, they would've handled the issue professionally instead of refusing the access of an official appointed by FIFA, it's a slap to the biggest football organization and they shouldn't allow the US host the event again till further notice.
 Well the step UEFA took in compensating the referee is applaudable cause the Super Cup is another big event and being the head official on the pitch is a boost to his career. The US disappointed him but in Omar's case the disappointment became a blessing by having an opportunity to officiate in the Super Cup.

[Gozie51]

A nice consolation prize for Omar Artan, but I think that in his case FIFA should have given more support and requested the American authorities to grant him a visa.

He has required visa and was cleared to travel. It is never the fault of Omar but just because he is from Somalia. They would have allowed him and put a security watch on him if they were not free with him but I think it is just witch-hunt. America is just as enemy to any country known with terrorism and banditry. That is what befell the referee but it is nice to know that both FIFA and UEFA didn't abandon him

On the part of FIFA and inability to stop US immigration from sending him home, Gianni Infantino said it is not in the place of FIFA to tell a country how to guide their borders but what I believe is that, it depends on the country involved. America is a powerful country and to be respected.

[yudi09]

-snip-

What are your thoughts on UEFA's decision?

I have two views regarding UEFA's announcement that Omar Artan will be the referee for the PSG vs. Aston Villa Super Cup match scheduled for August 14th.
My first view echoes the UEFA President's statement regarding Omar Artan. This memorandum of understanding between UEFA and CAF is a message to FIFA that football connects all aspects and should not be used as a political platform.

My second view is that Omar Artan's inability to travel to the United States for the World Cup is an anomaly that adds to the widespread criticism that the World Cup in the United States is being held in the United States.

[348Judah]

This man experience a complete turn around because it was expected to shame him by such denial, honestly I'm not after us not being considerate when it comes to international migrants and the likes, but someone like this referee that is globally recognized should not be denied is professional career ambition, all because of one reason or the older that is not even a major excuse to why he should not be allowed an entry to the United States, but at last, everything work together to his favor and he got more recognition than he thoughts would have come from the world cup.

[Ronsbit]

This is an appointment well deserved. There's a sayings that says " when a door shots, another door opens up" this is the situation of Omar Artan. The use think's they could humiliate him ending his career through their actions but they forgot that the world already knows who they are and how they mess things up intentionally just to frustrate people.
The appointment he got came in timely as expected and I believe it was out a seal to what the US did to him thinking they cut cut short his career as a professional referee. Well, he should be happy he wasn't part of the messy world cup tournament in the history of the world football. The US just made it more boring and not encouraging to follow up with the tournament as the stadium is always near scanty live match days.

[Agbe]

This has been discussed many of the threads in the world related. UEFA did well but USA also restricted him it for a reason so we should not fell back for that. All worked for good. And a news reaching me that, FIFA will pay him with the full officiating allowance/stipend after the match even though he isn't participating in the World Cup. This last part of the news is good too because at least he will not be feeling bad again.

[Oluwa-btc]

It is good that FIFA compensated Omar Artan, he was appointed to referee the super cup final between PSG vs Aston Villa, but also with this also illustrates FIFA cannot do anything about the US treatment of this referee, which is also a bit disappointing because Omar Artan has officially had a FIFA license. Let's hope his refereeing career remains good and maybe even better.

Nothing good about it. Obvious the football body meant to unite people now in control of a nation or a single man, it is disgusting what our beautiful game has turned into.
They should have seen him officiate game in Canada and Mexico, but they choose to do things the way they were asked to do. The FIFA president is corrupt and will never be taken seriously.
I do not care about being compensated, the FIFA World Cup Competition should see it's president resign. The incompetence is deafening.