A young lad was sobbing after his sign was cruelly taken away by stewards (Picture: Twitter)
A young Aston Villa fan was left crying his eyes out after his beautifully crafted handmade banner asking for star player Moussa Diaby’s shirt was confiscated.
The heartbroken lad was seen sobbing when stewards cruelly whisked away the flag he’d hung up on a railing before Villa’s away match at AZ Alkmaar in the Europa Conference League.
He travelled to the game hoping to land the winger’s shirt and had even carefully written a message in French to his hero which read: ‘Je peux avoir ta chemise?’
Workers inside the stadium seized the banner because of a new rule in Dutch football banning supporters from bringing in signs asking players for shirts.
Footage showed the boy taking down the sign and folding it away inside his backpack at the AFAS Stadion in the north of the Netherlands on Thursday evening.
A steward is then seen approaching the youngster who is visibly upset as he hands over the flag, which is tossed into a bin shortly after.
He was consoled by another security worker who offered him a drink as he sat in his seat and wept.
The young fan carefully handcrafted a sign and had even written a message in French asking Moussa Diaby if he could have his shirt (Picture: Twitter)
But fortunately his day went from complete heartbreak to sheer jubilation after news of the incident had got back to the Villa camp.
Not only did Unai Emery’s side romp to a resounding 4-1 victory, but Diaby also saved the day at the final whistle.
The 24-year-old attacker made sure the boy’s wish came true and welcomed him to the pitchside to hand over the number 19 shirt he’d worn in the game.
Aston Villa shared a heartwarming video of the young fan receiving Diaby’s jersey and wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter: ‘This is what it’s all about.’
Fortunately Aston Villa and Moussa Diaby were able to get the shirt to the boy (Picture: Twitter/@AVFCOfficial)
Beaming from ear-to-ear with a huge smile, the lad walks over to Diaby who gives him a high-five handshake and big hug.
The pair then pose for a picture together with the shirt, absolutely making the travelling Villa supporter’s day.
Thousands have been quick to react on social media with many questioning why stewards needed to throw the banner in the bin after the boy had already taken it down.
Many fellow Villa fans were also delighted at their club’s ‘classy’ gesture in response to what happened.
Diaby posed for a picture with the young fan after giving him his shirt (Picture: Twitter/@AVFCOfficial)
One said: ‘I’m so proud of my club and everyone associated with it. What a fantastic time to be alive and supporting Villa. Life is great!’
Another wrote: ‘After what the steward did this is the classiest thing I’ve seen in the sport in a long time!’
‘Absolutely class, well done Villa and well done Diaby!’ wrote one user. ‘That boy will never forget this (steward needs a quiet word though, no need).’
‘That’s how clubs should treat football fans,’ added another. ‘Pure class.’
Earlier this month, a football fan who was trolled online for his appearance defied his haters by raising more than £60,000 running a half marathon.
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The banner was cruelly taken away from him.