Super Cup: PSG vs Aston Villa, UEFA vs FIFA and the Somali ref barred from the World Cup
The UEFA Super Cup match between PSG and Aston Villa is set to feature referee Omar Artan, who was previously barred from the World Cup by U.S. officials. The appointment is viewed as a political statement by UEFA amid ongoing tensions with FIFA.
Why it matters
The match highlights the power struggle between major international soccer governing bodies and the intersection of sports with global politics.
Barely three weeks after the World Cup final, the first trophy of the new European soccer season is up for grabs in the UEFA Super Cup between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa in Salzburg on Wednesday (August 12, 2026).
The annual match between the most recent winners of the Champions League and Europa League also offers another chance for more grandstanding by UEFA at the expense of FIFA at a time of a growing disconnect between the two powerful soccer governing bodies in light of the recent conduct of Gianni Infantino.
That's because refereeing the game will be Omar Artan, the Somali referee who was barred by the United States from officiating at the World Cup days before the start of the tournament because of vetting concerns. U.S. officials claimed Artan had connections to terror organisations, though without providing proof.
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