Dr. Riem Hussein and Marco Fritz are the referees of the year 2020 awarded by the German Football Association (DFB). Hussein, DFB referee since 2005, can look forward to the title of referee of the year for the third time after 2013 and 2016. Marco Fritz, DFB referee since 2006, was voted referee of the year for the first time in his career. "The two referees of the year not only impressed with their consistently good sporting performance, both are strong personalities and role models outside of their game management. Dr. Riem Hussein and Marco Fritz have absolutely earned this award both on and off the pitch", says Ronny Zimmermann, DFB Vice President for Referees and Qualification. "The many successful appointments of our referees at national and international level in the very special 2019/2020 season made the choice of referee of the year an exciting and difficult decision again."
Award for "successful team player" Hussein
Christine Baitinger, responsible for the women referees in the DFB Referees Committee, says: "Last year, Riem Hussein had an outstanding World Cup in France. In the men's 3rd division she is now one of the big names. For our young referees she is not only a great role model on the pitch, but Riem's personality shapes our courses and enjoys great trust internally as referee spokesperson, playing an incredibly important role. Successful herself but always a team player: This is Riem Hussein, our referee of the year 2020!" Since 2006, Hussein has led a total of 105 matches in the women's Bundesliga. As a FIFA referee (since 2009), she took part in the 2017 European Women's Championship in the Netherlands and in the 2019 Women's World Cup in France. In the 2009/2010 season, Hussein was entrusted with the women's DFB Cup final. Hussein explains: "I am very honoured to have been elected Referee of the Year for the third time. This award would not have been possible without the support of my family, my assistant referees and my sponsors over the past few years. I am very happy about this honor."
Fritz convinces with "quality and personality"
Lutz Michael Fröhlich, director of the elite referees, praises Fritz in the highest tones: "On the one hand there is the referee quality with which Marco Fritz convincingly directed many games, including some top games, with his personality and his high degree of social interaction, which he brings to his game management. This is what sets him apart. He is a calm person who never pushes himself into the center of attention, yet remains clear and, above all, predictable for everyone - on the field, in the referee group and in public - that's what we want to honour him with the award for referee of the year." Fritz has been refereeing in Germany's highest division since 2009, where he has made 153 Bundesliga appearances so far. In 2012 he was promoted to FIFA referee and was appointed to lead the men's DFB Cup final in the 2015/2016 season. "I was really surprised because I didn't expect it at all. But of course I was delighted when I was informed about it. You can't get such an award alone, so I would like to thank my team and the colleagues who helped me. Special thanks are due to my two assistants Marcel Pelgrim and Dominik Schaal, but also to the fourth officials and video assistants who are part of this team award", says the first prize winner Fritz. "The award for referee of the year is not comparable, not even with the nomination for the DFB Cup final. The final can be seen as a task that is entrusted with a lot of confidence in advance. With the award for referee of the year, however the past achievements are rewarded much more. So my aim is to confirm this special award in the coming season."
Source: DFB
