Dutch defender, Virgil van Dijk, one of the stars of FC Liverpool, has comforted the Romanian referee Ovidiu Hategan, at the end of the UEFA Nations League match Germany-Netherlands 2-2. As it was later revealed, the Romanian referee has learned at halftime that his mother has died.
When van Dijk wanted the shake Hategan’s hand, after the final whistle, he noticed the referee had tears in his eyes, gsp.ro reports.
“That man broke down, stood with tears in his eyes because he had just lost his mother. I wished him strength and said that he had blown well. It’s a small thing, but maybe it helps him,” the Dutch defender said later, quoted by ‘Dutch Football’.
The gesture has impressed journalists and fans.
“Referee Ovidiu Hategan recently lost his mother. Right after the FT whistle Virgil van Dijk went towards him to comfort him, while crying. This is beautiful,” AFC Ajax wrote.
Ovidiu Hategan’s mother died on Monday in hospital, after a long sufferance. The 38-year old referee learned about the news at halftime, informed by the family, as he had previously agreed, to be constantly informed about her health.
Photo: digisport.ro