Dutch presenter claims Diego Costa deliberately coughed in her face during COVID match

January 09, 2026 • 0 • min read

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Dutch presenter claims Diego Costa deliberately coughed in her face during COVID match

Dutch football presenter Hélène Hendriks has shared a shocking story involving former Chelsea striker Diego Costa, alleging that he deliberately coughed in her face during an interview at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hendriks says the incident occurred in March 2020, when Costa was playing for Atlético Madrid, shortly before global lockdowns were enforced.

The match in question was Atlético's now-infamous Champions League clash with Liverpool at Anfield, widely remembered as one of the last major sporting events to take place in the UK before football was suspended.

The game has since become a focal point in discussions around the early spread of COVID-19, with Hendriks claiming that 41 people who were present at the stadium later died from the virus.

'He Walked Up and Coughed in Everyone's Face'

Speaking on the HNM Podcast, Hendriks recalled the incident in vivid detail whilst explaining her post-match duties that evening.

First I had Virgil van Dijk, then Diego Costa. Do you know what Diego Costa did? He walked up and deliberately coughed in everyone's face.

The presenter admitted she was stunned by Costa's behaviour, particularly given the growing fears surrounding the virus at the time.

I don't get angry easily, but I wanted to run after him and say, "What are you doing to me?!" He actually coughed right in my face.

Camera Chaos and Growing Anger

Hendriks explained that the situation quickly descended into chaos as she attempted to continue her broadcast.

For the connection to the Netherlands, I was attached to a wire and I was following Diego Costa, so the whole camera fell over.

I didn't know what was happening to me, I thought it was absolutely outrageous.

The alleged incident has reignited debate around player behaviour during the earliest stages of the pandemic, when uncertainty and fear were widespread and health protocols were still evolving.

Costa's Career Since Chelsea

Costa enjoyed his most successful spell at Chelsea, where he won two Premier League titles and became one of the club's most feared strikers of the modern era.

Known for his aggressive style and confrontational edge, Costa often courted controversy throughout his career.

Now 37, the Brazil-born former Spain international is currently without a club, having left Brazilian side Grêmio 12 months ago.

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