Somali referee Omar Artan has urged African referees to aim for the highest level as he prepares to officiate the UEFA Super Cup.
This year’s Super Cup will be played on Wednesday, August 12, between UEFA Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain and UEFA Europa League winners Aston Villa at the Red Bull Arena in Salzburg, Austria.
Artan became one of the talking points at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after he was denied entry to the United States over reported links to terrorist groups. Despite the visa issue, he was one of Africa’s highly rated referees at the tournament.
His performances have now earned him a major appointment, with Artan selected as the lead referee for Wednesday’s UEFA Super Cup clash.
“It was a very tough period. A lot of people have sympathy for me, because when someone has been working a lot of years and is supposed to do something, and then can’t do it, it’s very challenging.”
“I believe that if I can succeed, anyone can. Don’t ever stop dreaming” Artan said according to Reuters.
