Omar Artan could officiate in Egyptian Premier League

Somali referee Omar Artan could officiate matches in the Egyptian Premier League if the Egyptian Football Association approves a request from the Somali Football Federation.

The Somali federation has contacted its Egyptian counterpart to seek permission for the 34-year-old official to take charge of matches in the country’s top-flight competition. The request is awaiting a final decision.

According to local media reports, the proposal has received a positive response from Egypt’s referees’ committee, which is chaired by Essam Abdel-Fattah. However, the Egyptian Football Association must still give its approval before Artan can be appointed to officiate league matches.

The move would provide an opportunity for the Somali official to bring his experience to one of Africa’s most prominent domestic competitions, should the necessary authorisation be granted.

Artan has been a FIFA international referee since 2018 and has established himself as a recognised official in African football. His career reached a significant milestone in 2025 when the Confederation of African Football (CAF) named him the best male referee.

The award recognised his standing within the continental game and added to his profile as one of Africa’s notable match officials.

The Somali Football Federation’s request reflects its intention to have Artan’s refereeing expertise considered for matches outside his home country. However, his potential involvement in the Egyptian Premier League will depend on the outcome of discussions between the two football associations.

The Egyptian Premier League is one of the continent’s most closely followed domestic competitions, making the possibility of Artan officiating its matches a notable development for the Somali referee.

For now, no final decision has been announced. The Egyptian Football Association’s approval remains the key requirement before the 34-year-old can take up refereeing duties in the competition.