Somali referee Artan urges officials to dream big

Somali referee Omar Artan, set to officiate the UEFA Super Cup in Salzburg, implored emerging officials to "never stop dreaming" ahead of the notable occasion. Artan, 34, has become a prominent figure in African football, having officiated the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Champions League final, the first Somali referee to do so, and being named CAF Men’s Referee of the Year.

UEFA's selection of Artan was part of a cooperation agreement with CAF to enhance collaboration. CAF President Patrice Motsepe hailed Artan's appointment as a great honor for African referees. Artan was slated for the 2022 World Cup but was denied entry to the United States by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, despite possessing a valid visa, due to his alleged links to "suspected members of terror organizations".

This decision was influenced by U.S. President Donald Trump's stringent immigration policies. Artan's journey to becoming FIFA's international list of referees in 2018 marked him as the first Somali official at the Africa Cup of Nations in 2024. Artan expressed his belief that anyone can achieve success if they persevere in their dreams, saying, "I believe that if I can succeed, anyone can.

Don’t ever stop dreaming." The highly anticipated UEFA Super Cup match in Salzburg features Paris St Germain against Europa League champions Aston Villa.