AFP | Salzburg

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Somali referee denied World Cup ‘proud’ to oversee UEFA Super Cup.

Before the World Cup started in June, the 34-year-old referee unwittingly found himself in the media spotlight after being turned away on arrival at Miami International Airport, despite being part of the panel of referees selected by FIFA for the tournament.

“It was a very tough period,” Artan said in an interview published on the UEFA website.

“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.”

A US State Department official told AFP 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 had been welcomed as a hero on his return.

“It is unfortunate what happened to the referee from Somalia,” FIFA president Gianni Infantino said at the time, adding: “We don’t control everything.”

In response, UEFA, the governing body of European football, announced that Artan would referee the UEFA Super Cup, which pits Champions League winners PSG against the Europa League winners Aston Villa.

“I was lucky, but I have worked very hard to be here and I’m really proud,” Artan told UEFA.

“As you can imagine, I grew up in a difficult situation, but it didn’t prevent me from pursuing my dreams.”