Romanian match official Octavian Sovre raised question marks among football fans globally after he was seen chasing down Borussia Dortmund star striker Erling Haaland for an autograph after their UEFA Champions league clash against Manchester City on Tuesday.
This act at first had the public questioning the level of professionalism from the Romanian match official.
What Was the Reason For Chasing after Gaining the Autograph?
The main reason for the Romanian linesman gaining the autograph from the star striker after the UEFA match on Tuesday came out crystal clear that the Octavian Sovre usually collects signatures from leading sports personalities and auctions them for charity back in his country in Romania.
The charity was set up to support young adults who suffer from severe autism. This act by Octavian Sovre has had the public applaud him over the class act of humanity showcasing to the fans that football is not just a game but a sport that supports humanity.
Despite acquiring the autograph for a noble cause, the assistant referee has been suspended temporarily off his officiating duties back in his native Romania .
UEFA insisted that match officials requesting for players autographs is unacceptable and thus served Octavian with a couple of matches ban from officiating.
The assistant referee has now been hit with a suspension over the incident despite reports in Romania claiming that Sovre has collected signatures from top footballers for the last five years to help raise funds for an autism centre as charity.
The decision by UEFA to suspend the referee has raised talking points among football fans in the world where some feel like the punishment is too harsh as the referee acquired the autograph for a very valid reason.