German federation 'shocked' over brutal referee attacks

The DFB's cry of alarm comes after the referee in charge of a local Frankfurt game on Sunday was knocked unconscious by a player he had just sent off.

Published : Oct 30, 2019 22:09 IST

The official (not in the picture) was flown to a hospital in a helicopter and he still remains there three days later. (Representative image)
The official (not in the picture) was flown to a hospital in a helicopter and he still remains there three days later. (Representative image)
lightbox-info

The official (not in the picture) was flown to a hospital in a helicopter and he still remains there three days later. (Representative image)

The German football federation said on Wednesday that it was "dismayed and shocked" by a spate of attacks on referees as one match official recovered in hospital after a vicious assault.

"We are dismayed, shocked and struck by the level of violence, rudeness and attacks against our referees in the amateur game," the federation wrote in an open letter of support to referees which it said it sent to all its 24,544 clubs.

The DFB's cry of alarm comes after the referee in charge of a local Frankfurt game on Sunday was knocked unconscious by a player he had just sent off.

ALSO READ | Ribery banned for three games after shoving official

The official was flown to a hospital in a helicopter and he still remains there three days later.

This attack followed a weekend strike this month by referees in Berlin in charge of amateur games in protest at the problem.

The DFB said that 80,000 matches are played under its auspices each week and that all 80,000 have referees.

"The formula is simple: no football without referees," said the letter.

One club in the German capital, Friedenauer TSC, took the unusual step Wednesday of announcing it would be hiring a bodyguard to ensure the safety of referees at its games.

"The increase in violence, in particular against figures in authority, is a problem that touches all of society," the DFB wrote in its letter.

"That in no way means that we turn our backs and leave the responsibility to politicians."

The federation appealed to police and prosecutors to be more diligent when investigating these attacks.

"Football pitches are not no-go zones, attacks on referees are crimes... and so must be treated under the penal code," the DFB said.

Sign in to unlock all user benefits
  • Get notified on top games and events
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign up / manage to our newsletters with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early bird access to discounts & offers to our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide to our community guidelines for posting your comment