Aston Villa Super Cup ref describes 'tough period' after US entry ban

European Super Cup final referee Omar Artan has described the “very tough period” which followed being barred from entering the USA.

Artan was due to become the first Somali to ever officiate at a World Cup.

But the 34-year-old was denied entry at Miami international airport in early June, as Somalia is one of 12 countries on America’s travel ban list.

Fifa president Gianni Infantino suggesting he was powerless to overrule president Donald Trump’s administration.

But within days of him being sent home UEFA stepped in and appointed him to become the first non-European to officiate the Super Cup final, with Villa and Paris St Germain meeting in Salzburg on Wednesday.

“It was a very tough period,” said Artan, who has watched a lot of European football and done his research on the two teams involved.

“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.

“I really appreciate the support I received throughout the world, though; I’m so grateful.”

On his UEFA Super Cup appointment he added: “When we got this call it was, for me and my family, really a very, very happy moment.

“There’s a big Somali community in Europe and in Austria, and they are over the moon with me officiating a match like this.”