The German handball players reacted with great incomprehension to Christian Schwarzer's criticism of female referee teams at the World Cup.
“I think most people here know that Christian Schwarzer and I have not often agreed in recent years.
That continues today," said DHB sports director Axel Kromer on Saturday morning in Katowice, Poland.
"We have had female referees at the highest level for years."
Former world champion Schwarzer had previously said in the podcast "Enlightening by Blacky Schwarzer": "I have no idea how the idea of letting women whistle for men came up." And further: "I wouldn't have done it because they can whistle for the women, and the men whistle for the men.”
"No difference"
At the men's tournament in Poland and Sweden, there are currently several female referee teams in action.
"I know it from many others, whether they're fellow coaches or players who aren't too enthusiastic about it," the 53-year-old also claimed.
Germany's captain Johannes Golla disagreed.
"For me personally, it doesn't really make any difference who officiates or whistles the games," said the 25-year-old.