'This was my World Cup' says Somali ref after UEFA Super Cup / Photo: KERSTIN JOENSSON - AFP
-
Not-so-brave new world: virtual taekwondo makes Asian Games debut
-
Browns snuff out Rodgers fightback to beat Steelers 27-24
-
Arab Israeli candidate drops out of election race
-
Braves power past Phillies to set up Dodgers showdown
-
Israel courts Europe's far right, finding friends but also unease
-
Asian stocks drop as oil spike fans rate hike bets, eyes on US jobs
-
Lula, Bolsonaro both snub final debate before Brazil election
-
Viral anti-vax posts weaponise Philippine inoculation fears
-
Nepal's grim DNA puzzle to identify flood dead
-
Saudi coalition accuses Houthis of drone attack on Medina
-
EU nations to hold emergency meeting on soaring diesel prices amid US pressure
-
Effective Altruism: the philosophy behind Silicon Valley's AI fears
-
Anthropic's Dario Amodei: AI's most visible CEO and enigma
-
Chinese judoka accused of biting as home hope wins Asian Games gold
-
OpenAI says three staffers fired for mishandling 'sensitive' info
-
Four-member crew docks at International Space Station
-
Nike plans job cuts as it forecasts lower sales
-
Portugal win without Ronaldo as Klopp's Germany get first victory
-
Ireland game interrupted twice by Gaza protests
-
Wemby: 'Very sad' to see players endorse betting firms
-
Judge denies acquittal bid by US woman who killed her kids
-
Manchester City Women scrape draw with Real Madrid
-
Klopp averts crisis with first win as Germany boss
-
India, Australia and Pakistan in same World Cup group
-
A saintly spat and debate snub: Brazil enters final campaign stretch
-
Daryz's hopes of repeat Arc win boosted by draw
-
US tells European allies to act 'immediately' to lower diesel prices
-
Steelers ship disgruntled defender Porter to Cowboys
-
G20 trade ministers fail to see consensus against overproduction
-
Klopp gets first win as Germany boss
-
Portugal edge Denmark in Ronaldo's absence
-
Bolivia's attorney general arrested on drugs, money laundering charges
-
US stocks edge higher as bond yields retreat for now
-
Raiders host Chiefs in battle of unbeaten division rivals
-
US tells European allies to 'immediately' act to lower diesel prices
-
Lowest Fee Bitcoin ATMs Announces Launch of More Than 400 ATMs Nationwide
-
Trump vows to hit Iran 'very hard' if linked to flydubai attack
-
G20 against 'weaponization' of food trade: French minister
-
Williams leaves Spain camp with thigh knock
-
Female US inmate in critical condition after botched execution
-
WTA reduces 2027 schedule for world's top 50
-
Spotlight on UK-UAE ties amid Manchester City scandal
-
US says 'in Europe's best interest' to cooperate on fuel supply
-
Ethiopia and Eritrea break diplomatic ties over conflict
-
Rogue OpenAI agents covered up their tracks, report says
-
Downing Street says Manchester City not 'above the rules'
-
A saintly spat and debate snub: Brazil enters final polls stretch
-
Hadjar wants to 'fight for the title' from next season
-
Zidane 'no regrets' about Materazzi headbutt as France face Italy again
-
Bolivia's attorney general arrested for alleged drug trafficking, money laundering
'This was my World Cup' says Somali ref after UEFA Super Cup
Somali referee Omar Artan described taking charge of Wednesday's UEFA Super Cup between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa in Salzburg as his "World Cup".
The 34-year-old was denied the chance to referee at the World Cup itself after being refused entry to the United States.
He was turned away on arrival at Miami International Airport, despite being part of the panel of referees selected by FIFA for the tournament.
In a post on X on Thursday, UEFA shared a photo showing a match ball from Wednesday's match on which Artan had written: "This was my World Cup".
UEFA added the caption: "A special Super Cup souvenir from Omar Artan".
UEFA extended the invitation for Artan to officiate the Super Cup, which PSG won 2-1, after he was blocked in Miami.
A US State Department official told AFP at the time that the referee was "associated with suspected members of terrorist organizations", therefore "making the traveler ineligible for admission to the United States".
These allegations were rejected by the referee and caused outrage in Somalia, where Artan was welcomed as a hero on his return.
On Thursday, Artan used his Instagram account to thank UEFA and the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
"Thanks to everyone who made this possible," he posted.
"Especially to UEFA for giving me the trust and opportunity and who welcomed me (to) their continent with open arms.
"My own confederation, CAF, for the support and making this possible."
UEFA justified its decision to appoint Artan by referring to the agreement it signed at the end of April with CAF to encourage cooperation between the two confederations.
But it is also a political gesture by UEFA, which is regularly critical of FIFA, and one that takes on even greater significance in light of the conflict that has pitted the European body against FIFA president Gianni Infantino for the past few weeks, centring on the abandoned plan to open up the World Cup to private investors.
The plan's failure was largely due to the revolt led by UEFA, which continues to wield the threat of a boycott of FIFA tournaments -– including the World Cups -– in an attempt to force Infantino to step down.
D.Kaufman--AMWN