Matija Sarkic did me like a kipper as funny tunnel moment made me smile despite devastating news

An English top-flight whistler has penned a glowing tribute to Matija Sarkic - and shared a hilarious story of his only experience with the late goalkeeper in the build-up to a game eight years ago.

Sarkic sadly passed away at the age of just 26 on Saturday morning after collapsing in an apartment in Budva, Montenegro.. The goalkeeper started his career with Aston Villa, but enjoyed his breakthrough season on loan at Livingston in the 2019/20 campaign, where he made 14 appearances in the Premiership. Sarkic also enjoyed decent loan spells with Shrewsbury, Birmingham and Stoke and at the time of his death had just completed a fine season with Millwall, playing in 32 of their 44 Championship matches.

Although he was born in England, Sarkic decided to declare for Montenegro - where his father Bojan was born - at international level, and represented them from U17 level all the way up to the senior team, where he won seven caps, the last of which came in a friendly defeat to the Belgium, where he was named as man of the match despite making nine saves.

But the fact that he has born and raised in Grimsby in North East Lincolnshire was completely lost on top whistler Bobby Madley, who has revealed he was the victim of a stitch-up by Sarkic when he officiated a Montenegro youth game back in 2016. In an emotional message shared on X, Madley wrote.

"Terrible news this week that 26 year old footballer, Matija Sarkic passed away while on international duty. I met Matija in 2016 when refereeing my first U19 Euros Qualifying game between Montenegro and France. Matija was captain which, as a goalkeeper, isn't always easiest for a referee.

"Standing in the tunnel before the game Matija came down and shook hands. Given that my grasp of the Montenegrin language wasn't the best, in a shocking broken English accent I tried to explain to Matija with many hand gestures and ridiculous facial expressions that as a captain and goalkeeper it would be hard to work with him. My question of 'is there player in team, speak English, maybe can speak with me if problem today?' was met with this blank look from Matija.

"I tried again with even worse broken English and the stone look remained on his face. I was defeated. I looked at Matija and said: 'Clearly I am wasting my time and getting nowhere.' Matija half smiled. He replied in a strong Balkan accent: 'Nine. Speak English nine.'

"Delighted and very proud of myself I replied: 'Ah you understand English little. This is good. He speak good English?' Matija smiled and replied: 'Yeah it's not bad, it's my brother Oliver, we're from Grimsby... I just wanted to see how long you'd carry that nonsense on!'

"He'd done me like a kipper! I didn't know Matija but I had the honour of sharing a pitch with this young man. That funny moment in the tunnel has stayed with me and I was devastated to hear the news. Sincerest condolences to his family and his friends. Rest in Peace, Matija."