The DFB is facing new legal trouble. Ex-Referee Gräfe does not want to accept his end because of the age limit he has reached and challenge the rule. At the same time, he expresses harsh criticism of the association.
Manuel Gräfe wants to go to court against the German Football Association after his involuntary end of his career and bring the controversial age rule for referees to tip. “I’m suing the DFB for age discrimination,” the long-time Bundesliga referee announced in an interview with “Zeit Magazin”. “The DFB claims to stand up against racism, discrimination and for diversity. The age rule contradicts this.”
Gräfe had to end his career at the end of last season despite very good performances after 289 Bundesliga appearances because he had reached the age limit of 47 years set by the DFB. “I would have liked to continue. My feet, knees and hips are fine. But the DFB insists on an age-old guideline,” complained the Berliner. “The DFB takes away what I enjoy. Of course there are also financial losses, I will try to at least make these claims.”
The Netherlands has no age limit for referees
Despite good ratings and high acceptance by the professionals, Gräfe was no longer put on the referee list for the 2021/22 season by the association. “Now the DFB has a good – I hope I can put it that way – and popular referee, and then it sorts him out, apparently only because he does not say yes and amen to everything. Unfortunately, arguments in this association do not change anything, but only the tax investigators or judges, “Gräfe complained about the DFB.
There are certainly examples internationally that speak in favor of relaxing or even abolishing the rule. “In Holland the age limit has not existed for almost twenty years. In the Premier League, two whistles who have already exceeded the age of 50. And Uefa uses the Dutch Björn Kuipers at the European Championship at 48,” counted Graefe.
Gräfe wants to fight for all referees
In Germany, on the other hand, referees are judged too little by performance in his view. Fitness is important, but it is overrated. “You can be better positioned with routine and understanding of the game than if you run around blindly. Ultimately, it is the quality of the decisions that counts,” said Gräfe. His conclusion: “What the DFB does looks like age discrimination.”
In court, he wants to fight for the entire referee guild, as the rule also affects other colleagues such as Guido Winkmann and Markus Schmidt – who are both no longer allowed to whistle because of the age limit. “The rule even has consequences in the lower divisions. In the regional league, some 25-year-olds are told that they will soon have to be promoted, otherwise they will be too old. Many give up in frustration,” criticized Gräfe. At the same time he made it clear: “I will no longer whistle myself, even if I should be successful with my complaint.”
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
