Referees really do not have it easy as they are in the line of fire, in the way of an ear full and often in the way of players when they pass the ball. So how do you earn respect out on the pitch when two teams go into battle? Intense body language is one method but it is not everybody’s strong point or a show of cards early doors can help to stamp the authority. Communication is a precious technique that has to be top drawer when out on the football field as players need to know where they stand. However, self defence is not a good idea with the elbows or otherwise and the inclusion of women officials have complicated the situation even more, so body contact is a definite no. Dealing with angry coaches on the touchline can be particularly wearisome and it takes a tough individual to deal with certain abrupt situations when you have to be consistent with your decisions. You also cannot be intimidated even though participants or superiors may get up close and personal with you.
It has to be said that the DFB has had its fair share of issues to deal with when it comes to their match officials as referees in Germany have their own unique history. In 2005 Germany was opened up to an embarrassing subject of match fixing, which was mainly concentrated on 2 Bundesliga and it was claimed that an amount of two million Euros was at stake. It can be quite misleading as this incident was branded the ‘Referees Scandal’, however this only involved one official, Robert Hoyzer, a West Berliner who confessed to fixing and betting on matches in the German second division, DFB Pokal and also the Regionalliga.
Unfortunately for the DFB, this has been the second time they have had to handle an indignity as in the early 1970s players were found for “profit manipulation of games”. However, it was claimed that no Bundesliga top flight games were involved in this shame, one particular contest involved was SC Paderborn 07 v Hamburger SV. Hamburger SV lost this game 4-2 and the referee awarded two outlandish penalty kicks to SC Paderborn 07 and striker Émile Mpenza was ejected from the game for protesting against the controversial decisions.
As mentioned earlier in this exposé ‘Referees scandal’ can be quite deceptive as it was in fact four German referee officials who reported Robert Hoyzer to the DFB. Lutz Michael Fröhlich, Olaf Blumenstein, Manuel Gräfe, and Felix Zwayer all had their suspicions of Robert Hoyzer. It was found when the case was finalised that Robert Hoyzer had been meeting with three Croatian brothers who were involved with an organised crime gang and after confession from Robert Hoyzer it led to more arrests, including outfield players playing for Hertha BSC. The Berlin situated referees involved in taking their concerns to the DFB Lutz Michael Fröhlich and Manuel Gräfe, were all relieved of their duties for their own safety.
The DFB Kontrollausschuss responded strongly and since this scandal they have operated meticulously in thwarting any future incidents from happening giving a pro-active image. They have brought in measures such as observing officials over three years if they are endorsed to another league. Also video replays have now been used more extensively to observe refereeing decisions at close hand. This is a case that the DFB would not want to handle again, however there have been a few more cases opened up in other countries involving match fixing. This subject is a huge problem throughout football.
On the other hand, it is not all corrupt when it comes to officiating games in Germany. Officials in Germany have the utmost respect from the players they control during that anxious ninety minutes. Many of the officials involved in the German game are very intelligent with one mainly standing out. Dr Felix Brych is an expert in Law and his main thesis was about sports, which has given him an advantage when officiated games in Germany. He was promoted to the Bundesliga in 2009 and is now considered one of Germany’s top mediators. This campaign he has arbitrated seventeen games and given out fifty eight yellow cards and four red with twenty seven of them coming in his eight Bundesliga matches.
However this season Felix Brych was involved in a freak incident when he awarded Bayer Leverkusen a ‘ghost goal’ when they travelled to 1899 Hoffenheim. Stefan Kießling headed the ball wide of goal but there was a hole in the side netting of the goal where the ball directly went through and a goal was conferred. Felix Brych said that 'There was no indication that it was not a regular goal,' andalso went on to say'I had a bit of doubt, but the reaction of the players was clear. There was nothing to suggest otherwise.'
Germany and the Bundesliga have top officials and another one of these would be ‘UEFA Category One’ official Deniz Aytekin. He is an Economist and also Internet manager by trade and is 197cm in height. Angry players certainly will not intimidate him when he oversees matches in the Bundesliga. This season Herr Aytekin has officiated thirteen games, seven in the Bundesliga, two in 2 Bundesliga, one in the UEFA Champions League and one international friendly. This campaign already he has branded forty eight yellow cards and four dismissals. From these statistics you can see that he is not the most lenient of referees often using card to present his authority.
There has been some concern about arbitrators in Germany about whether the administrators should have officiating as their main occupation. The DFB have taken measures out to improve refereeing by increasing wages and giving officials their main attention. The salary of refereeing has only been increased this season and this was announced by the DFL after a meeting with their representatives and German referees in Frankfurt took place. Felix Brych and Wolfgang Stark will now earn 60,000 Euros instead of their previous 40,000 Euro per season as they are considered Germany’s principal referees. The interesting issue with this is that this salary will gradually increase up until 2016 when their money will rise to 75,000 Euros.
For the other referees in the league, the DFB has decided to increase the wage from 30,000 Euros to 50,000 Euros and that will increase to around 65,000 Euros by 2016 for referees that have been officiating in the Bundesliga for five years or more. Other referees will earn 40,000 Euros eventually escalating 55,000 Euros in later years. The DFB commented on this change of the wages by saying, “By increasing the basic amount for referees, the German Football League (DFL) and German Football Association (DFB) made another important step in the professionalisation of referees”.
It has been known that the German game and their officials at the DFB have been open to new methods on approaching the main game in Germany. They decided not to go for the ‘Hawk Eye’ as they believe the machine designed to distinct goals is not yet ready for the German game. But the DFB has admitted that they would be open for their referees in the future to wear to newly released ‘Google Glass’ designed by Google.
Andreas Rettig, the Chief Operating Officer of the DFL stated, "We are always open to new technological innovations," in an consultation with German newspaper Sued Deutsche. "But it is also clear that we need to address the fundamental decisions more carefully." He spoke further by saying "We should think about computer glasses for referees, such as Google Glass” and ended his interview with, "When we think about technical progress, then we must take the next step to discuss whether the referee could wear glasses to see what everyone sees viewers on the couch."
This is obviously a rare move and one that has been noticed firstly by the DFB. Using this method may work and will stand adjudicators in a strong position when they have to make big decisions in big games. If this was the approach in German football, it will not only bring out a positive on the German game but it will give the referees the utmost confidence in their organisation as they have the support and can make decisions with sureness. Referees in Germany are in a very good position and this is evident when they officiate matches.