ARSENAL fans are convinced “the football god’s have spoken” after seeing pictures of tonight’s referee for their crucial match against Porto.
Fans joked about the striking resemblance that the referee has with Arsenal forward Leandro Trossard – leading some to suggest they were brothers.
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Fans began joking about the resemblance after an Arsenal supporter posted a picture of the referee next to one of Trossard on X.
He wrote: “Trossard’s Elder brother Clement Turpin Trossard is the Ref for tomorrow’s match . What God cannot do does not exist.”
Clement Turpin, of course, is not also called Trossard.
And the ref hails from France whereas Trossard represents Belgium at international level.
Turpin, 41, has been a FIFA-listed referee since 2010 and has officiated for UEFA since 2012.
He has nominated by France as their most accomplished referee at UEFA Euro 2016 and the 2018 Russia World Cup.
His most high profile game came in 2022 when he refereed the Champions League final between Real Madrid and Liverpool.
Despite his high-profile, he is still a PE teacher in his homeland of France.
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In response to a picture of Turpin on X, one Arsenal fan wrote: “Trossard’s brother! Get in!”
Another said: “Looks more like Trossard than Trossard!”
While a third X user wrote: “He looks just like him.”
Some fans did not get the memo and actually thought Turpin was Trossard’s brother, with one writing: “Really?? Surprised they allow this. I mean allowing known fans of certain clubs to referee is certainly worse, but it’s hard to find refs who don’t like football so ok.”
Arsenal must overcome a 1-0 deficit from their away leg against Porto to reach the quarter-finals of the Champions League tonight.
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