Motsepe helps Omar Artan secure major UEFA gig

CAF president Dr Patrice Motsepe has played a key role in securing Somali referee Omar Artan's appointment to officiate the upcoming UEFA Super Cup between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa.

CAF referee Omar Artan was controversially removed from officiating at the 2026 FIFA World Cup by the United States government, prompting widespread criticism from across the globe.

Artan was denied entry into the US and was subjected to intense interrogation by American officials, who later accused him of having links to terrorist organisations.

Many have been appalled by the decision. However, UEFA and CAF have since stepped in in a major way.

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Artan will be the match referee for the 2026 UEFA Super Cup between PSG and Villa, the newly crowned champions of the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League respectively.

Motsepe played an influential role in the decision, with UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin acknowledging the South African billionaire's meaningful contribution.

In a statement, Ceferin 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"

Motsepe said: "Omar Artan has made Somalia and the entire people of the African Continent, extremely proud. His receipt of the CAF Men’s Referee of the Year Award 2025 and his appointment as a referee of the FIFA World Cup 2026 are a recognition of his world-class refereeing ability and the international respect that he enjoys.

"I am very thankful to my friend, Aleksander Čeferin for enabling Omar Artan to officiate the UEFA Super Cup 2026 match. This is a great honour for Omar Artan and for African referees and is also an excellent example of football, bringing together and uniting people from Africa and Europe and worldwide."

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