For the third time, the International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS) has crowned Dr. Markus Merk as the "World’s Referee of the Year". Second place also belonged to a German, with Herbert Fandel finishing ahead of the Slowakian Lubos Michel.
In the 20-year history of the award, this marks the first time ever that two referees from one nation finished in first and second place. Merk had also won the title in 2004 and 2005. Merk left the FIFA ranks when he had reached the age limit of 45 years in 2007, but continuous to perform brilliantly in the Bundesliga. Merk, a dentist by profession, has officiated 326 Bundesliga and 50 international matches so far, the 2004 EURO final between Portugal and Greece as the highlight of his successful career.
Media members from 83 countries cast their vote for the IFFHS award.
The IFFHS referee’s ranking
1. Dr. Markus Merk (Germany), 106 points
2. Herbert Fandel (Germany), 92 points
3. Lubos Michel (Slowakia), 87 points
4. Manuel Enrique Mejuto Gonzalez (Spain), 58 points
5. Roberto Rosetti (Italy), 55 points
6. Massimo Busacca (Switzerland), 43 points
7. Luis Medina Cantalejo (Spain), 41 points
8. Jorge Luis Larriondo Pietrafesa (Uruguay), 29 points
9. Carlos Arecio Amarilla (Paraguay), 27 points
10. Frank de Bleeckere (Belgium), 24 points
