The 34-year-old referee was thrust into the international spotlight shortly before the World Cup began in June after he was turned away upon arrival at Miami International Airport, despite being among the referees selected by FIFA for the tournament

Aug 10 : Somali referee Omar Artan urged aspiring officials to "never stop dreaming" ahead of making history as the first non-European to referee the UEFA Super Cup on Wednesday…

Omar Artan was refused entry to the US shortly before the World Cup got underway