orswich
Nov 22 2002, 05:59 AM
A fourth match official will be introduced for German first division games after the winter break in an attempt to reduce the number of controversial decisions.
The decision, following a heated debate over refereeing in the Bundesliga, was taken on Wednesday in Gelsenkirchen after a meeting between referees and officials from the German Football Association (DFB) and the German Football League (DFL).
The fourth official, who will assist the two linesmen, will be introduced when the German league resumes on January 25 after its traditional winter break starting on December 15.
Referees have been criticised for controversial decisions by several league clubs. There were 11 red cards in the last two Bundesliga weekend programmes.
"The fourth referee will be introduced as an experiment for the second part of the Bundesliga season," said DFB president Gerhard Mayer-Vorfelder. "His role will be to assist his colleagues."
Other modifications to refereeing, such as the use of electronic equipment, were turned down at the meeting.
"We think that the fourth referee will be a great help," said FIFA referee Herbert Fandel. "He will be able to support the first assistant, whose duty is complicated by the theatrics going on on the bench."
The introduction of a fourth referee will cost an estimated 500,000 euros. It will be determined later whether the clubs will have to finance it entirely or if the DFB will contribute.
The decision, which was taken shortly before a friendly international between Germany and the Netherlands later on Wednesday in Gelsenkirchen, was welcomed by Germany head coach Rudi Voeller.
"It is good news for the linesmen, who have plenty to do and will now be able to concentrate better on their main job," Voeller said.
the bundesliga is finally doing what other big leagues in europe seem scared to do.. many fans have cried out for a fourth official and it seems germany has decided to give it a go
good idea to you or not?????
:rolleyes: :o :D
The decision, following a heated debate over refereeing in the Bundesliga, was taken on Wednesday in Gelsenkirchen after a meeting between referees and officials from the German Football Association (DFB) and the German Football League (DFL).
The fourth official, who will assist the two linesmen, will be introduced when the German league resumes on January 25 after its traditional winter break starting on December 15.
Referees have been criticised for controversial decisions by several league clubs. There were 11 red cards in the last two Bundesliga weekend programmes.
"The fourth referee will be introduced as an experiment for the second part of the Bundesliga season," said DFB president Gerhard Mayer-Vorfelder. "His role will be to assist his colleagues."
Other modifications to refereeing, such as the use of electronic equipment, were turned down at the meeting.
"We think that the fourth referee will be a great help," said FIFA referee Herbert Fandel. "He will be able to support the first assistant, whose duty is complicated by the theatrics going on on the bench."
The introduction of a fourth referee will cost an estimated 500,000 euros. It will be determined later whether the clubs will have to finance it entirely or if the DFB will contribute.
The decision, which was taken shortly before a friendly international between Germany and the Netherlands later on Wednesday in Gelsenkirchen, was welcomed by Germany head coach Rudi Voeller.
"It is good news for the linesmen, who have plenty to do and will now be able to concentrate better on their main job," Voeller said.
the bundesliga is finally doing what other big leagues in europe seem scared to do.. many fans have cried out for a fourth official and it seems germany has decided to give it a go
good idea to you or not?????
:rolleyes: :o :D