Somalia’s Omar Artan in line to referee Egyptian Premier League matches

Somali referee Omar Artan could officiate matches in the Egyptian Premier League after the Somali Football Federation submitted a formal request to the Egyptian refereeing committee.

Essam Abdel Fattah, head of the Egyptian refereeing committee, said he had no objection to the proposal but that approval from the Egyptian Football Association was still required.

Artan had contacted Abdel Fattah, although not specifically to referee the upcoming meeting between Al Ahly and Zamalek.

“He sent an official letter from the Somali Football Federation requesting to referee in the Egyptian Premier League,” Abdel Fattah said in televised comments. “I have no objection, but we are waiting for the Egyptian Football Association’s approval. If the association agrees, we will host him in the Egyptian Premier League as soon as possible.”

Obrenovic chosen for Al Ahly v Zamalek

Abdel Fattah also explained how Slovenian referee Rade Obrenovic was selected to take charge of the Al Ahly-Zamalek match on Sunday, 11 October.

The game will be played at Cairo Stadium and is part of the sixth round of the Egyptian Premier League.

The committee contacted the governing bodies of Europe’s five major leagues while searching for an overseas officiating team. Germany, England and Italy declined to send referees, while Portugal’s response arrived too late.

The Portuguese officials who were available were not considered to be among the elite, and the same applied to the Spanish candidates.

Abdel Fattah said he had personally approached several referees, but they turned down the opportunity because of existing commitments, particularly matches in the UEFA Champions League.

The committee eventually settled on Obrenovic, who Abdel Fattah described as the best referee in Slovenia.

Abdel Fattah defends officials

Abdel Fattah rejected the suggestion that criticism of referees was a problem unique to Egypt. He said officials faced similar scrutiny in Spain and other major football nations, arguing that the referee was often the weakest link in the game’s overall structure.

He added that it was difficult for refereeing to become a strong point in the eyes of supporters.

The Egyptian refereeing chief also noted that the leagues in Spain, France and Italy do not use foreign referees for their domestic matches, regardless of the standard of officiating.

Mahmoud Ashour decision

Asked about Mahmoud Ashour, Abdel Fattah said that describing the situation as a decision to step down was the most accurate account.

Ashour had wanted to work in the media from the outset, according to Abdel Fattah. Following discussions, he agreed to join the refereeing committee before later making his final decision, which Abdel Fattah said he respected.

The committee is also working to improve referees’ psychological support. Individual sessions are being arranged, while specialists in psychological assistance may be brought in at a later stage.

Abdel Fattah said some referees had already consulted psychologists because of the frustration they experienced.