The 30-year-old flies back today and is expected to be away for a fortnight, ruling him out of at least two of Gold Coast’s upcoming fixtures.

“Unfortunately, some family circumstances mean I have to go back home to Holland to spend some time with my family members,” Beekmans said.

“Hopefully everything will be okay and I plan to come back to Australia as soon as possible.”

It's understood Paul's father was due to visit his son in Australia over Christmas but the trip had to be cancelled and his dad's conditioned has worsened since.

United CEO Clive Mensink said the club had no hesitation in granting the likeable Dutchman personal leave, saying family must always come first.

“Some things are much more important than football and obviously family is one of them,” Mensink said.

“We were sad to hear Paul’s news and the anxiety that can cause when you’re on the other side of the world just adds to what is a stressful situation for him.

“Our priority is to ensure that he is well supported by the club in a difficult time for him personally.

"We wish him all the very best and hope everything works out well so we can see him back at the club in a couple of weeks.”