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It is in an interview with Glåmdalen on Monday night that the referee’s profile speaks to his own orientation and thoughts on Sunday’s episode at the Eliteserien.
– I feel like the time has come, and I can’t imagine it will be anything but positive for me, Hagen tells the local newspaper.
– I don’t want this to be angled as if I stand out as gay. For me, it has always been a completely natural part of life. You ask me if I’ve been thinking about this for a while, but I haven’t. I’ve been with girls and I haven’t announced it to anyone. The same has been natural when I had a male partner, he adds.
Hagen calls it the height of irony that the party has just judged with the much-talked-about incident on Sunday.
Photo: Ørn E. Borgen / NTB
On Sunday, the 42-year-old, who for several years has been one of Norway’s most prominent referees, was the leader of the match in the settlement where Kristiansund player Flamur Kastrati called Vålerenga coach Dag-Eilev Fagermo “a Street sweeper”.
– It is extremely ironic that it is exactly me who judges that match, says Hagen to Glåmdalen.
Gauseth: – Judge of the Year Performance
There are very few in top-level men’s football, both in Norway and internationally, who have become gay. It is the opposite of something that has been requested for years. On social media, Hagen’s tributes are countless on Monday night, and Mjøndalen player Christian Gauseth is one of those who rejoices at the referee’s frankness.
– I think this is crude, what he’s doing. Those who know me know that this is probably the first time I’ve ever said something like that about a judge, and I think this is the judge’s performance this year, simple and straightforward, Gauseth tells NRK.
He elaborates:
– Absolutely raw, says Mjøndalen player Christian Gauseth about Hagen’s decision to be open about orientation.
Photo: Christoffer Andersen / NTB
– Send a signal that football is for everyone and that even though there have been some turbulent weeks with lots of negatives, there may still be the right people in the right place and doing smart things. It’s a really nice, strong signal that being open about this sends out, Gauseth says.
– How do you think it will be for him in the future?
– I guess there will be positive comments this week, so there will probably be something negative as well. But you are prepared for that. So I hope everything becomes completely normal eventually. We will be open to everything, and now we have a test. Can we handle this in a good way and just welcome it back? And then we move on. I hope this means that players will eventually emerge as well, says Gauseth.
There are no overtly gay players in Norwegian men’s football at the highest level, nor any other referee. RBK Pål profile André Helland also hopes this case can inspire.
– First of all, it’s just to congratulate. I hope it becomes a pioneer. There have been some stupid statements, but hopefully you are drowning in all the joy and positivity you get. I hope it can be an inspiration to more people, says Helland.
The attacking player points out that there may be several in the football community who keep their position hidden for fear of what it may cost to be open.
– Statistically pure, there should be more people burning inside. Hopefully now that there’s a person profiled in soccer, more people can join that train. Because, in my head at least, it should be obvious that this is natural. You can’t do anything for who you fall in love with, says Helland.
Rosenborg’s Pål André Helland expects Hagen to be a pioneer in a football environment in which many believe he has been too demanding to stand out.
Photo: Ole Martin Wold / NTB
Former Brann player and NRK expert Carl Erik Torp hopes Hagen’s start could mark a change.
– I think things like this spread to society in general. It’s being written all over the place and it’s a great talking point now. There are many who may feel a little confident that someone like him is leading the way. We are in a phase where the difference is normalizing and it is a great period. Norway is way ahead, so we also go with the breeze. But there are dark numbers, and there are probably some who give up on the dream too, says Torp.
– A model to follow
Chief Justice Terje Hauge says he has been aware of Hagen’s guidance for many years and says he hopes everything will be well received when he comes back to trial.
– When he stands up now, I think he only gives a positive domino effect, both to the referee corps and to high-level football in general and to men’s football in particular. He’s a role model, says Hauge.
On Monday, it was also announced that Kristiansund banned Kastrati pending an internal review of the case. The Norwegian Football Association has also announced that it may be relevant to go ahead with the case.
Hagen did not accept Kastrati’s remarks in the heat of the match, but says he does not want to judge the Kristiansund player, who has said he did not know what the word sweep means. Kastrati has also apologized and said he is very sorry.
Hagen has umpired in the Elite Series since 2006.
