UEFA have appointed Omar Artan – the official banned from entering America for the World Cup – as referee for its Super Cup.In a move some may interpret as a clear dig at rivals FIFA, European football’s governing body made the announcement days after the scandal surrounding the Somalian was made public.Amid a series of rows over visas and immigration under the Donald Trump regime, Artan was not allowed into the country to officiate at the World Cup as planned.And it would appear that an opportunistic UEFA has now seized on an opportunity.In a statement released today they say the 34-year-old, who was named Africa’s men’s ref of the year in 2025, will take control of the clash between Champions League winners Paris Saint Germain and Europa League champions Aston Villa in Salzburg on August 12. Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan will referee next season’s UEFA Super Cup Artan got a hero’s welcome back in Somalia after being banned from entering the USThey add that the move follows an agreement between UEFA and CAF, who are ‘united by a shared commitment to developing football at all levels and promoting the core values of unity, equality and non-discrimination’.Aleksander ?eferin, UEFA president, 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. I am grateful to my friend CAF President Patrice Motsepe for supporting enthusiastically our initiative.’Artan was set to be the first referee from Somalia to officiate at a World Cup after he had made FIFA’s final list for the tournament. He was named Africa’s best male referee last year. He was questioned for 11 hours by border officials before being put on a flight to Istanbul, in Turkey.His exclusion comes after fans and journalists from Iran, Haiti, Ivory Coast, Senegal and other countries were refused permission to travel to the USA. The travel ban caused protests from the International Sports Press Association, which wrote a letter of complaint to FIFA and has led to dismay at the betrayal of what is supposed to be a jamboree that welcomes all. Artan was given a hero’s welcome in his homeland.The Trump administration claimed he was turned away due to ‘terrorism fears’ in a shocking turn of events that has caused a major outcry and support for the referee who expressed his bitter disappointment at the rejection. He said the decision had shattered his ‘biggest dream’ of officiating at a World Cup. Artan was put on a flight to Turkey and then back home to Somalia where he was greeted with plenty of fanfare. He was filmed stepping off the plane and being mobbed by well-wishers and dignitaries, shaking hands and smiling broadly. The Trump administration made a bombshell claim he was denied entry due to terrorism fearsThe referee then posed for photos while holding up the Somalian flag in a show of national pride and defiance. His exclusion from the World Cup has been a major talking point ahead of the tournament kicking off on Thursday. Speaking to the New York Times, Artan insisted he was ‘very disappointed’ in the decision, adding: ‘I had the right papers and everything. I had the right visa.’However, the Trump administration made a bombshell claim that the referee was denied entry due to terrorism fears. In a statement provided to FOX, a Trump official said: ‘This individual was seeking admission to the United States. ‘Upon further inspection by CBP, derogatory information, including association with suspected members of terror organizations, was discovered making the traveler ineligible for admission to the United States under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).’The traveler was refused admission and given immigration forms that provide the section of law used to complete an expedited removal under 8235 of the INA. ‘President Trump’s administration will not allow any security threat to enter our country – full stop.’Previously, US Customs and Border Protection had said in a statement: ‘The traveler underwent additional inspection, a routine part of C.B.P.’s inspection process when officers need to verify information or determine admissibility.’