Dutch football icon Joop van Daele famed for wearing glasses on the pitch dies at 77 as club reveal ‘great sorrow’

AFP

DUTCH football is in mourning after specs-wearing icon Joop van Daele lost his fight for life.

The short-sighted Feyenoord defender, who wore glasses on the pitch, died this week aged 77.

GETTYFormer Feyenoord star Joop van Daele has passed away aged 77[/caption]

A Feyenoord statement read: “It is with great sorrow that we have learned of the passing of our former player and scout Joop van Daele.

“Rotterdam born and bred, he was part of the club’s Seventies heydays.