One of Norway's best football referees has come out as gay: Tom Harald Hagen, who has whistled in the Norwegian first division since 2006 and in FIFA games since 2009, spoke openly about his homosexuality for the first time on Monday in the local newspaper Glåmdalen .

"It is important to take the matter off the ground"

“I have the feeling that it is important to make the matter less explosive that I am gay. I've lived like this all my life. It's not something I think about, ”the 42-year-old told Glåmdalen :“ It's my everyday life, my relationship, my family - and my football family. So I can act with my head held high - unless we miss something on the football pitch. "

He is referring to the first division game between Valerenga IF and Kristiansund BK, which he directed on Sunday. During the game, Kristiansund striker Flamur Kastrati insulted the opposing coach as a "damn fagot". After the match, Hagen stated that he hadn't heard the abuse.

Hagen is the first man in Norwegian professional football to speak openly about his homosexuality. Terje Hauge, Norway's chief referee, said he had known for years that Hagen was gay and that he was now expecting a “positive ripple effect” not only among referees, but in all of men's football. Hagen told Glåmdalen that he “naturally” took his partner with him to the annual referee meeting, “and that was always well received”. Read more via GGG