Somali international referee Omar Artan could officiate in Egypt’s Premier League after Somalia’s football federation submitted a formal request. Egyptian refereeing officials support the proposal, but final approval is still pending.
The request has been delivered to Egyptian football officials, with a final decision from the Egyptian Football Association still pending, the reports said.
Samir Othman, an adviser on refereeing affairs in Egypt, confirmed that his administration had received the letter from Somalia and supported Artan's potential appointment to the country's top-flight competition.
"Yes, we have received a letter from the Somali Football Federation, and we are awaiting the decision of the Egyptian Football Association," Othman was quoted as saying.
"From an administrative standpoint, we agree, and he will bring a great deal to the Egyptian league," he added.
The development follows reports circulating on social media that Artan was set to join the pool of referees working in the Egyptian Premier League. However, the Egyptian Football Association has yet to announce a final decision on the request.
Artan has established himself as one of Somalia's most prominent football officials in recent years, earning recognition on the continental stage through his performances in African competitions.
He holds international recognition as a referee and has received the Confederation of African Football's Referee of the Year award, further raising his profile within African football.
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His potential involvement in Egyptian domestic football would mark another step in his career, giving him an opportunity to officiate in one of the continent's established leagues while gaining experience in a different competitive environment.
The Egyptian Premier League is one of Africa's most prominent domestic football competitions, featuring historically successful clubs and players from Egypt and abroad. The league includes leading sides such as Al Ahly and Zamalek, whose rivalry is among the most closely followed in African football.
The proposed arrangement would also reflect cooperation between the Somali and Egyptian football federations, with the former seeking opportunities for one of its leading referees to gain further experience outside Somalia.
International refereeing appointments can provide officials with exposure to different playing styles, competition standards and match-management demands, helping them develop their skills at the highest levels of the game.
For Somalia, Artan's possible appointment would offer additional visibility for the country's refereeing sector and could strengthen the profile of Somali officials within African football.
However, his participation in the Egyptian league remains subject to approval by the Egyptian Football Association. No official confirmation of his appointment had been announced at the time of the reports.
If approved, Artan would become part of the refereeing pool for Egypt's top division, extending his experience beyond international and continental competitions into one of Africa's major domestic leagues.
About the Author
Ahmed Omar is a senior journalist for Somali Report, based in Mogadishu. He has two decades of experience reporting on Somalia for international and local media. He covers politics, security, governance, business, trade, economic developments and regional affairs.
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