Bundesliga
Referee Brych is aiming for a comeback for the new season
Referee Felix Brych suffered a torn cruciate ligament in his 344th Bundesliga game at the end of November – he is now planning his comeback. photo
© Peter Kneffel/dpa
After tearing his cruciate ligament in the record-breaking game, top referee Felix Brych is working on his comeback. The desired date for a return is set – as is his goal.
Brych has now undergone surgery. “It’s going well under the circumstances. I have to see how the body reacts to the stress when I start proper training again,” said the 48-year-old. “I really have hope that I’ll come back. That’s my big goal and I’m fighting for it.”
Brych has been refereeing games in the Bundesliga since 2004. The doctor of law said he had been “extremely lucky” with injuries for 20 years. Now he is facing the challenges of rehab. “I’ve been lucky that I’ve never really had to torture myself before. And I think that’s part of it for athletes to torture themselves. Now that time is coming, but I want to go back,” said Brych. “I have this motivation and that’s why I take on this pain.”
The end of Brych’s career is not yet in sight
He received a lot of encouragement, which was very good, the referee reported. “People are interested in me as a person and ask about my health,” Brych said. These were new aspects in a referee’s career.
The six-time referee of the year in Germany cannot predict how long his career will continue after the desired comeback. First of all, when returning, he will look from game to game, then from month to month and possibly from year to year. “I want to come back and not just referee a game,” said Brych. His return to the Bundesliga should then be “sustainable”.