Giuseppe Rossini Booked for Grandfather T-Shirt Tribute

Belgian referee Joeri Van De Velde had obviously had enough of the Christmas spirit by the time the Boxing Day fixtures rolled round, as he didn’t hesitate to flash a yellow card at Charleroi striker Giuseppe Rossini after the 26-year-old had put the hosts in front against Mons. Rossini netted the opening goal of the game before a very emotional celebration, in which the tearful Italian whipped off his zebra-print Charleroi jersey and revealed a t-shirt which read ‘Rest in peace Nonno’. But instead of being moved by the emotional tribute, ref Van De Velde cut the celebrations short as he refused to budge on the letter of the law and booked Rossini.

And to rub it in even further, Rossini’s strike was to be the only one for his side, while visitors Mons netted twice to take all three points. Charleroi lost 2-1 at home to Mons in the Jupiler League on Boxing Day, the visitors mounting a comeback win after Giuseppe Rossini had fired the hosts 1-up. Rossini’s goal was emotional. After opening the scoring in the 24th minute, the 26-year-old burst into tears as he revealed a black t-shirt with ”Rest in peace Nonno.” The jersey was a dedication to the recent death of Rossini’s grandad, and was complete with a simple cross at the bottom. And then came then obvious, stupid consequence: ref Van De Velde slapped Rossini with a yellow card for removing his Charleroi shirt. Photos of Giuseppe Rossini’s t-shirt can be seen below.