Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan has completed a remarkable chapter in his career after becoming the first African referee to officiate a major European final.
Artan received a warm reception from players after officiating the UEFA Super Cup between PSG and Aston Villa, which ended 2-1, favouring PSG, the European Champions, with footballers applauding him as he collected his medal following his historic performance.
The occasion marked a major achievement for the Somali official, who has overcome a difficult setback on the international stage to reach one of the biggest moments of his refereeing career.
Artan had previously been selected to officiate at the FIFA World Cup but was unable to take part after reportedly being denied entry into the United States and deported upon arrival.
The setback threatened to overshadow what had been a significant achievement in his refereeing career. However, the Somali official has since rebuilt his reputation and earned another major opportunity on the European stage.
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His appointment to oversee the final represented a historic moment, making him the first non-European referee to take charge of a major European final.
Artan responded to the occasion with a composed performance, earning praise for his handling of the high-profile match.
The scenes after the final were equally memorable. Players gathered around Artan and applauded him, recognising his contribution to the successful staging of the match.
