DJIBOUTI — A Djiboutian assistant referee who worked alongside Somali referee Omar Abdulkadir Artan in the historic 2026 UEFA Super Cup has praised Artan for selecting him as part of his officiating team and giving him the opportunity to participate in one of European football’s biggest matches.
The Djiboutian official, Liban Abdoulrazack Ahmed, said Artan personally chose him after UEFA appointed the Somali referee to lead the match officiating team.
“My brother Omar Artan gave me this opportunity. First, the referee is selected and then he is told, ‘You are going to officiate this match, so bring your assistant referees.’ My brother Omar Artan, whose work impressed me, chose me. I congratulate him,” he said.
The comments came after Artan made history by becoming the first non-European referee to officiate the UEFA Super Cup, when Paris Saint-Germain faced Aston Villa in Salzburg, Austria, on August 12, 2026. UEFA’s official match information confirms that Artan was supported by Djiboutian assistant referee Liban Abdoulrazack Ahmed and Kenyan assistant referee Stephen Eleazar Onyango Yiembe. (Law 5 – The Referee)
For Liban, the appointment represented an important opportunity to work at one of the highest levels of international football. His inclusion also demonstrated the growing recognition of African match officials beyond competitions traditionally organized by CAF.
Artan’s decision to select Liban was particularly significant because the UEFA Super Cup brought together officials from Somalia, Djibouti and Kenya, creating an African officiating team for a major European fixture.
The appointment attracted international attention because Artan, aged 34, was making history at the centre of the match after having been selected for the 2026 FIFA World Cup but being unable to participate after he was denied entry to the United States. UEFA later gave him the opportunity to officiate the Super Cup, which Artan described as a major moment in his career. (UEFA.com)
Artan’s rise has also become a source of pride in Somalia and across African football. He was named CAF Men’s Referee of the Year in 2025 and has continued to receive major international assignments.
The Djiboutian assistant referee’s remarks highlight the importance of collaboration among African officials and the opportunities that can emerge when referees from the continent are selected for major international competitions.
The historic UEFA appointment also provided valuable exposure for Liban and his fellow assistant referee Stephen Yiembe, who represented Kenya. Their participation alongside Artan placed three East African officials on the field for one of Europe’s most prestigious club fixtures.
Artan’s achievement has therefore extended beyond his own career. His selection of fellow African officials has helped demonstrate that refereeing talent from the continent can play a role on some of football’s biggest international stages.
For Somali and East African football, the UEFA Super Cup appointment has become a significant milestone, while Liban’s tribute to Artan underlines the personal and professional impact of the opportunity on fellow officials
