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Werder player Ricarda Lang in a duel with Nastassja Lein: Bremen scored four goals in the second half
Photo: Oliver Baumgart / foto2press / IMAGO
The German Football Association (DFB) has reacted with surprise to the enflamed debate about the introduction of male referees in the women's Bundesliga. »We are convinced that a person's performance is not related to gender. Men are not automatically the better referees," said DFB Vice President Ronny Zimmermann when asked by the SID news agency.
1. FC Nürnberg had previously sharply criticized the performance of female referees and called for opening up to male referees. »Despite all understanding of the displeasure over bad decisions, it is not okay how our referees are being put under public pressure. That has nothing to do with fair play. “These statements from Nuremberg really surprise me, especially after the year of referees, in which a central theme was the culture of respect and appreciation for referees,” said Zimmermann.
DFB sees female referees “publicly pilloried”
DFB Vice President Sabine Mammitzsch reacted similarly. »It's always better to talk to each other rather than about each other. The joint exchange with the clubs has proven itself in recent years. It is very strange how our referees are publicly pilloried in this way," said Mammitzsch.
At the same time, Mammitzsch announced that it wanted to revise the structures. »For us there is no question that structural work needs to be done on the conditions and requirements for the referees. This applies to all areas of the league. For this, a “common path” between the association and clubs is essential.
The direct reason for the Nuremberg statement was what the club believed was a “serious wrong decision” made by the team in the club women’s 4-0 defeat at Werder Bremen last Saturday. The FCN spoke of “a cross-club, league-wide problem” that affected “all clubs”. A short-term solution can be seen "only in abolishing the previous policy of having the games in the 1st and 2nd women's Bundesliga led exclusively by female referees."
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