UEFA appoints Omar Artan to officiate super cup

[Sticky Bomb]

The "old spirit" of such football competitions is being lost, as they are no longer a holiday for fans but a business event.

I agree that the spirit is looking like gone, because I can remember the last world cup at Qatar, there was not this much visa restriction to fans, they only had their country rules like no alcohol in the stadium of which was enforced, but the USA are denying fans entry for obvious reasons. I for one did not like the idea of USA hosting this world cup citing their provocation with Iran. I knew they would be conservative on various standpoints to shield their country of possible infiltration by enemy assets and honestly, their policies and denying fans entries took the fun of the competition away for most affected countries. It's obvious this particular world cup lost its purpose, FIFA is slowly turning it to a reward of the highest bidder.

[dansus021]

The U.S. deportation looked a lot more like a victim of rigid, blanket national security travel bans on Somalia rather than any actual, verified evidence connecting him to Al-Shabaab

The fact that he is the first non-European referee ever appointed to direct the UEFA Super Cup tells you exactly what European football leadership thinks of the situation. They are making a loud statement that sporting merit overrides border geopolitics. Artan is the reigning 2025 CAF Referee of the Year and completely earned his spot on the elite roster based on his flawless performance in the African Champions League

[disbil]

The U.S. deportation looked a lot more like a victim of rigid, blanket national security travel bans on Somalia rather than any actual, verified evidence connecting him to Al-Shabaab

The fact that he is the first non-European referee ever appointed to direct the UEFA Super Cup tells you exactly what European football leadership thinks of the situation. They are making a loud statement that sporting merit overrides border geopolitics. Artan is the reigning 2025 CAF Referee of the Year and completely earned his spot on the elite roster based on his flawless performance in the African Champions League

The US immigration in this moment have many victim not only from the referee after Omar Artan can't become the referee for World Cup 2026 and several players investigate more than several hours before entering to United State land. Right now UEFA appoint him become the referee for UEFA Super Cup match between the Champion League team winner PSG vs the winner of Europe League team Aston Villa and FIFA try to give positive vibe after total failure decision appoint Omar Artan become the referee at World Cup.

One interested thing from Omar Artan after departure from United State and can't be referee at World Cup 2026 right now he was be hero at his country and he the ceremonial after landing back to his country.

[alegotardo]

What are your thoughts on UEFA's decision?

Commendable!
From what I've researched about Omar, I've discovered that he is an excellent referee at his country and (if it is not an exaggeration) the best African referee currently.
So, this is just a belated recognition of his work. Unfortunately, this notoriety for the good work Omar does came from unpleasant news, but I see it differently...
I think the USA, unintentionally, did excellent publicity in favor of Omar, and now many doors should open for him. The UEFA Super Cup was just the first!

There will be other FIFA World Cups, the next one in just 4 years... Omar will have the chance to referee in it again, but until then he will build a brilliant career in bigs championships.