Bundesliga referee Manuel Gräfe is worried about the referee system in Germany. “In recent years, we have had a quality problem due to deficits in the areas of leadership, professionalization and development,” said the Berliner on Friday at the 11FREUNDE Meisterfeier in Cologne.
The direct consequence is the criticism of the impartial, which has been growing louder lately: “If the performance as a whole is down to the basement and then the media wait for something like this, then one thing comes after the other”.
Gräfe misses the will to act quickly, not least in the associations. “I believe that in some areas we are not professional or performance-oriented enough. Much more would have to happen there, personally it’s too slow for me. Behind the scenes at the DFB, I tried to achieve a lot. But this is a bandage, and some things are a little more difficult,” said Gräfe.
Gräfe is looking forward to the planned introduction of yellow barriers for trainers in a relaxed manner. “All I can do is calm down. Nothing big will change except that signal colors will be shown. It won’t be so hysterical,” he said: “We have now determined what yellow or red is for. Now it’s categorized, that’s an advantage.”
Many Bundesliga coaches, on the other hand, remain critical of the planned change. “I’m glad this has been postponed. This would have greatly influenced our work if we could no longer support the team after three yellow cards,” said Friedhelm Funkel of Fortuna Düsseldorf: “Of course there were always discrepancies. But then the referee came and said that you should be quiet,” said Funkel.
Eintracht Frankfurt’s sports director Fredi Bobic remains relaxed like Gräfe. “Everyone has been asked about this, including us managers. I don’t think yellow cards are shown immediately when you jump from the bank. The referees are already required to show sensitivity. But you have to be careful not to overdo it,” Bobic said.
