Hamburg (dpa) – According to his own statements, the referee Felix Zwayer, who is currently pausing, does not yet know whether he will return as a Bundesliga referee.
“I have a room in front of me that has two doors. One way leads me back to the football field, and the other way leads me to a really great, fulfilling private life without this publicity, without this pressure, without this stress,” said Zwayer in an interview with Sky. “I’m currently working my way out. I’ll be able to make decisions completely free of time pressure, content pressure and financial pressure. I’m very happy about that.”
Support from the chief referee
DFB referee boss Lutz Michael Fröhlich hopes that Zwayer will make a comeback. “We wish and would be happy if Felix Zwayer stayed with us and football as a referee,” the 64-year-old is quoted as saying on the DFB website. Fröhlich also made it clear: “We will support him to the best of our ability, regardless of whether he decides to continue his career as a referee or not.”
Zwayer is currently not active as a referee. After the top Bundesliga duel between Borussia Dortmund and FC Bayern Munich (2: 3) at the beginning of December last year, he was heavily criticized by the Dortmunders. BVB midfielder Jude Bellingham verbally attacked the referee.
Request to speak to Bellingham
The Englishman had indirectly accused Zwayer of bribery, alluding to the Robert Hoyzer scandal 17 years ago. In the interview, Zwayer said he would like to speak to the player. “I would like to exchange ideas with Jude Bellingham in particular on this subject,” he said.
The father of the family Zwayer had recently reported violent insults and a death threat. “The fact that there was a death threat against the referee after a Bundesliga game in Germany should give everyone food for thought,” said Fröhlich. “Something is fundamentally wrong in our society. It’s no longer acceptable.”
Zwayer said of his current condition: “I’m under pressure. Mentally and psychologically. It’s not an easy time and that’s why the break is of course because I can’t currently face the responsibility of refereing a Bundesliga game – not with the necessary strength, with the power, with the concentration, but also with the lightness and joy that goes with it.”