Romanian assistant referee Octavian Sovre’s decision to ask Borussia Dormund striker Erling Haaland to autograph his yellow and red cards raised some eyebrows but the charity that is set to benefit from a cash boost is not complaining.

“The signed cards which my kindergarten classmate Octavian donated to our SOS Autism Bihor centre will be used for a noble cause,” Simona Zlibut, who oversees a therapy centre set up by parents, said.

Zlibut’s own 21-year-old daughter Laura Bianca is autistic and she says the centre depends on donations.

“My little girl doesn’t know when to go to the bathroom, she cannot eat alone... costs are enormous,” said Zlibut.

Zlibut said the cards may be auctioned later this month on Facebook to aid therapy of 30 autistic people aged below 47 at the centre in the western city of Oradea.