Somali referee Omar Artan grateful for Super Cup chance after World Cup exclusion Omar Artan, a Somali referee who was denied entry to the United States in June, has expressed gratitude for being awarded the opportunity to officiate the UEFA Super Cup between Paris Saint-Germain and Aston Villa. The decision comes after he was excluded from the World Cup due to U.S. travel restrictions, a situation that sparked international attention. Uefa granted Artan the assignment shortly after his World Cup participation was blocked, marking a significant milestone as he becomes the first non-European official to oversee the competition. Artan, 34, will make history by taking charge of the match in Salzburg, Austria, where the Super Cup is set to take place. The decision was described by Artan as a “very, very happy moment” for him and his family, particularly given the strong Somali community in Europe and Austria, which has celebrated the opportunity. He emphasized the emotional weight of the assignment, stating that it represents a breakthrough after facing significant challenges. The controversy surrounding Artan began in June when he was refused entry to Miami International Airport by U.S. authorities. The incident drew global attention, with FIFA President Gianni Infantino acknowledging that he could not override U.S. immigration policies. Somalia is among 12 countries subject to a travel ban imposed by the Trump administration in 2020, which has limited the movement of officials and citizens. Artan described the period as “a very tough period,” highlighting the frustration of being unable to fulfill his professional duties despite years of dedication. Despite the setback, Artan has remained focused on his preparation for the Super Cup.#paris_saint_germain #aston_villa #salzburg #omar_artan #uefa_super_cup
Alex Manninger: Ex-Arsenal Goalkeeper Dies After Car Hit by Train Former Arsenal goalkeeper Alex Manninger has died at the age of 48 following a tragic accident in Salzburg, Austria, where his car was struck by a train. The incident occurred on April 16, 2026, at approximately 08:20 local time (07:20 BST) at a level crossing. According to Salzburg police, first responders used a defibrillator on Manninger, who was alone in the vehicle, but could not revive him. The train driver was unharmed. Manninger, who played for Arsenal from 1997 to 2002, made 64 appearances for the club during his tenure. He was part of the team that won the Premier League and FA Cup during that period. However, he often played second fiddle to David Seaman, the England international goalkeeper, during his time at Highbury. Despite this, Manninger earned recognition for his performances, including a memorable FA Cup run in the 1997-98 season. He helped Arsenal defeat West Ham United on penalties in the sixth round of the FA Cup and delivered a standout display in a 2-1 victory against Manchester United at Old Trafford. His efforts earned him the Premier League Player of the Month award for March 1998. Before joining Arsenal, Manninger began his career with his hometown club, Red Bull Salzburg. Over the course of his professional career, he played for 14 teams across Europe, including Siena, Juventus, Udinese, and Augsburg. In 2016, at the age of 39, he signed a short-term deal with Liverpool but did not make a competitive appearance for the club. Manninger also represented Austria at the international level, earning 33 caps and becoming a key member of the squad that participated in Euro 2008 in his home country.#arsenal #austria #alex_manninger #salzburg #red_bull_salzburg
