In 2023, the “Referee and Referee of the Year” awards go to Dr. Felix Brych and Mirka Derlin. The association officially announced this on Friday.
Referee of the year 2023: Felix Brych (left) and Mirka Derlin. imago images
For Brych, after 2012, 2014, 2015, 2017 and 2020, it is already the sixth award as Germany’s best referee, Derlin receives the honor for the first time – at the end of her active career. The 2022/23 season was her last as an active referee.
“After my emotional farewell as an active referee, to also be named Referee of the Year 2023 left me completely speechless,” Derlin said in a statement. She was “just overwhelmed” and “super proud”.
“I couldn’t have wished for a better conclusion after my 16 years as a referee at DFB,” emphasized Derlin, who has overseen 94 games in the women’s Bundesliga, 75 games in the second women’s Bundesliga and the 2021 DFB Cup final for women in her career.
“Outstandingly exemplary”: Much praise for Brych
Brych still has a few more games to his credit. The 47-year-old has been a DFB referee since 1999 and has officiated 336 Bundesliga games since then. The Munich player is also the record holder in the Champions League with 85 appearances and was used in European and World Cup finals. In 2017 and 2021 he was also elected world referee. In 2021 he ended his international career.
“It is outstandingly exemplary with what conscientiousness and discipline Felix, even after his long and very successful career as an international referee, approaches his referees in the national area,” praised Lutz Michael Fröhlich, Managing Director Sport and Communication at DFB Schiri GmbH.
For Brych himself, the award is the “sixth and most beautiful title as referee of the year, which means the most to me”. He is very grateful that he can continue to be part of the Bundesliga referee: “I would like to confirm this special appreciation in the new season with my performance.”
2023-07-21 08:06:01
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