Bundesliga: Referee Brych dislikes “swarm of bees” on the pitch

Bundesliga
Referee Brych dislikes “swarm of bees” on the pitch

Referee Felix Brych complains about negative tendencies in dealings on the pitch. photo

© Soeren Stache/dpa

Aggressive players or complaining coaches? Germany’s referees want to “consistently punish” unsportsmanlike conduct. Referee boss Fröhlich points to a role model function.

The German top referee Felix Brych has identified negative tendencies in cooperation on the pitch.

“I do think that there are new behaviors on the part of the players who surround the referee like a swarm of bees after decisions and try to push him into the review area,” said the 47-year-old of the German Press Agency. “We discussed that during the winter break. We decided that we don’t want to accept such unsportsmanlike behavior. We’ll pay more attention to that again – and will also sanction it.”

Recently, two coaches had also been sent off. Mainz coach Bo Svensson saw the red card in the cup defeat against FC Bayern. For Freiburg coach Christian Streich, the league defeat in Dortmund was yellow and red. “Coaching behavior also falls under the category of unsportsmanlike conduct. We noticed that unsportsmanlike conduct has increased in this area as well, that the behavior towards us referees has become a bit more demanding or aggressive. We also want to consistently punish such unsportsmanlike conduct,” said Brych.

Appeal from Fröhlich

DFB referee boss Lutz Michael Fröhlich pointed out that the coaches and referees worked well together. “Overall, the relationship is right. There are reactions, followed by consistent counter-reactions. The person concerned then has to live with that. That shouldn’t be anything earth-shattering,” said Fröhlich of the German Press Agency.

“Conflicts can certainly arise from emotionality during the course of the game. But if the emotionality spills over into personal disparagement, then you also have to accept that the appropriate measures are taken by the referee,” said Fröhlich. In the most recent cases, those involved would have cleared things up afterwards. “It would only be important if a general rethinking process were to start that such behavior is simply not appropriate,” said Fröhlich on the sidelines of an event organized by the Association of German Sports Journalists in Munich.

The 65-year-old pointed out possible effects on another level. “Of course, incidents from professional football always rub off. There is a role model effect, which results in imitation. In the most recent cases in the Bundesliga, the referees have reacted consistently to negative behavior,” said Fröhlich. “Regardless of the consistent interpretation of the rules in the game, a clarifying conversation with an exchange of perspectives between the referees and those affected is always helpful.”

dpa

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