Arjen Robben statement issued after ex-Chelsea star accused of abusing ref in U14 game

Arjen Robben statement issued after ex-Chelsea star accused of abusing ref in U14 gameFormer Chelsea, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich star Arjen Robben has moved into coaching at boyhood club FC Groningen but the Dutch icon has landed himself in hot water in recent daysCommentsSportDaniel Orme Sports Writer17:47, 15 Apr 2026View 2 ImagesGroningen have released a statement defending Robben(Image: Getty Images)FC Groningen have leapt to the defence of former Chelsea star Arjen Robben after he was accused of of abusing a referee during an under 14 game. The Dutchman is currently in charge of the youth side of Groningen.‌But Robben has been met with some negative accusations over recent weeks. Dutch TV presenter Wilfred Genee, who attended a recent game to watch his son play for the opposite side, has said that Robben was particularly aggressive towards the match official.‌He said: “At half-time, with the score at 1-0 to my son’s side, he was furious about a goal kick or a corner. But for the entire first half he had been swearing at the referee.”‌Genee has also accused Robben of hitting out at him personally, having called him a ‘pancake’. But Groningen have since released a statement and disputed that the former winger was abusive towards the referee.READ MORE: Carlo Ancelotti asked Brazilian president whether he should pick Neymar for World CupREAD MORE: Darwin Nunez banned from Al-Hilal return as ex-Liverpool star's time in Saudi gets worseJOIN US ON FACEBOOK! Latest news, analysis and much more on Mirror Football's Facebook pageWriting on social media, the Dutch side said: “FC Groningen feels the need to respond to the accusations directed at our colleague Arjen Robben by Wilfred Genee.‌“The club denies that Arjen mistreated the referee during or around the match, which has now also been confirmed by the referee himself. What we see and know is that Arjen is fanatical and enthusiastic as a trainer/coach.“During the break, he is in conversation with the refe...