After a homophobic storm occurred in a game he was running, Tom Herald Hagen decided to declare his sexual preference and received widespread support
The pelvis.
an important step
Photography:
IPI
This is not supposed to be news in the 21st century but the Norwegian and well-known Norwegian football referee on European football pitches, Tom Herald Hagen, has come out of the closet.
"It's time to say I'm gay, only positive things will come of it, for me it has always been a completely natural part of life. I'm asked if I thought about it for a long time but I can say I did not think so," said the 44-year-old Hagen.
The actual trigger for the pelvis came after he refereed a game in the Norwegian league between Valeranga (where Vidar Kjartansson, ex-Maccabi Tel Aviv) plays and Christiansund. And in the world of local football in particular.
"It's the pinnacle of irony I ran this game," said Hagen, who was unaware of the incident during the game.
"Maybe the player said it in a moment of anger and it could happen in football but we really need to get rid of things like that," he added.
After confessing his inclination, Hagen received widespread support from athletes in his country.
The coach who received the derogatory call also supported Hagen and said: "I did not always like him so much as a referee but it is impressive. I have a lot of respect for him and his move."
Hagen has been an international referee in the past and is one of the three best referees in Norwegian football.
He managed World Cup and Euro qualifiers and refereed a number of games in the Champions League as well.