Chelsea legend filmed shoving TV presenter and shouting expletives at elderly referee

Callum Vurley
Wed, 15 Apr 2026 08:25:25 +0000

Arjen Robben, the former Chelsea winger who now manages FC Groningen's Under-14 team, has sparked controversy after pushing Dutch television presenter Wilfred Genee and launching a tirade at an elderly match official during a youth fixture on Sunday.

The 42-year-old, who claimed two Premier League titles during his spell at Stamford Bridge, became embroiled in a heated touchline dispute following his side's 1-0 defeat to Viktoria.

Footage from the match appears to capture Robben remonstrating with grey-haired referee Jan Faessen before shoving Genee, who had attempted to intervene in the confrontation.

Viktoria, who top the league table, secured the narrow victory over second-placed FC Groningen in a match that featured the sons of both men involved in the altercation.

Robben's son Kai plays for the Groningen youth side, while Genee's 14-year-old son Luca was part of the triumphant Viktoria squad.

When Genee approached to calm the situation during Robben's exchange with the official, the former Bayern Munich star pushed the Vandaag Inside presenter aside.

"You're not getting involved," Robben snapped at the 58-year-old broadcaster, who steadied himself against an advertising hoarding following the shove.

Genee recounted the incident to Dutch television, explaining that Robben had spent the entire opening period directing abuse at the referee over a disputed goal kick decision.

"I thought to myself, 'man, that's not normal!'" the presenter said. "I then saw him confronting the ref at half-time."

Genee told Robben not to apply such pressure on the official, urging him to remain calm.

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"But he gave me a shove, and called me an idiot. I first thought it was a joke," Genee recalled, adding that the referee appeared shocked by the outburst.

"The example he set was very uncomfortable," the broadcaster concluded.

Referee Faessen offered his own account of the confrontation, revealing he had acknowledged his limitations to Robben from the outset.

"The first thing I said to Robben was that I'm no longer the quickest," the official explained, noting he had initially awarded a goal kick before changing his decision to a corner.

Faessen had requested a photograph with the former Dutch international before kick-off, but Robben declined, suggesting they wait until afterwards to avoid gossip.

"I guess there was no longer any question of a photo with Arjen after the game," the referee remarked.

Robben enjoyed a glittering playing career, winning six trophies at Chelsea including two League Cups and an FA Cup, before claiming a Spanish title at Real Madrid and 17 honours with Bayern Munich, among them the Champions League.