Germany's rugged ref showing disrespect the red card

Gueney Artak may not be the best referee in German soccer but he's probably the best known.

It's likely he'll never take charge of a Champions League or top-flight Bundesliga game. Refereeing is just a leisure activity for the 32-year-old security specialist from Hannover, who oversees the action in Germany's lower leagues.

Unlike the other men in black in those divisions, though, Artak doesn't have to worry about taking backchat or abuse from players, while on-pitch brawls are a rarity.

"I have an advantage compared to my referee colleagues," he says.

"Or do you know someone like me? Bald head, beard, tattoos, one that weighs 110 kilos and is looking like 40 years of jail."

Artak is an accomplished kickboxer, having won the 2017 heavyweight WBU World Champions title.

His mere presence on the pitch seems to deter arguments and fights before they get out of control.

"People know who I am. They know, I can fight alright, if necessary. They know what status I have and have respect," he says.

Dubbed the "problem solver" by German media, Artak has acquired cult status in the country.

Whenever there is a potential fiery fixture on the schedule, the regional soccer association inevitably calls for him to direct proceedings.

Nicknamed 'Das Biest' (The Beast) in the kickboxing ring, Artak tries to keep things a little more subdued on the soccer pitch.

"I am not a messiah running through the Bundesliga taking care of all the problems. My pattern is communication," he claims.

Artak explains that he usually lays down the law to the team captains before kickoff. "Listen, captain, I tell them. You are responsible for your team. As soon as you reckon one of your guys is getting out of control, it's up to you to get him down to earth, not to me," he says.

It's no surprise that Artak doesn't need to repeat himself and has earned a special kind of reputation.

"No one is provoking me. I don't want to be in the center of things," he adds.

Artak, though, doesn't recommend bodybuilding for young referees. Instead, he prescribes lessons in self-confidence and advice on how to handle delicate situations.

Every year, thousands of German referees are the victims of on-pitch abuse, a statistic which makes Artak feel "very sad". Better educational support for refs is the way forward, he thinks.

"They need to know how to react when facing aggression, where to get help from, and how to gain confidence," he says. "I just want to make my contribution to a better world and make sports safer."

Referees deserve to be treated with respect, according to Artak. And when that's not the case he is happy to intervene. Recalling how he once decided to help out a 15-year-old colleague on a nearby pitch, he says: "I stopped my game and went there. I told them we can easily swap refs. That helped."

Xinhua