Dutch ref Shukrula falls for defender Jeff Hardeveld

Shona Shukrula and Jeff Hardeveld

Dutch football referee Shona Shukrula is dating footballer Jeff Hardeveld. Interestingly, the couple first met last year when Shukrula was the fourth official in a Dutch second tier fixture where Hardeveld was playing for FC Emmen.

What's even more interesting is that Hardeveld got sent off in that 0-1 defeat to FC Eindhoven on August 13. Shukrula Instagrammed the above picture, announcing her romance, and wrote: "It's official @jeffhardeveld.

Shukrula has been a FIFA referee since 2017, while Hardeveld rose through the ranks at Feyenoord before joining Utrecht and Heracles Almelo. He has also represented the Netherlands in U-21 tournaments.