After an assault on the referee, the match was abandoned in the C2 district league in Gelsenkirchen on Sunday. The situation escalated after the shower.

The match between ETuS 34 Gelsenkirchen II and DJK SW Gelsenkirchen-Süd in the Kreisliga C2 in Gelsenkirchen was abandoned on Sunday. Players of the host team clashed with the referee. The referee sustained injuries and the police are investigating.

“It actually started quite normally and everything was fine,” referee Kerim Polat told Forecasting one day after the incident. But after a couple of refereeing decisions that went against the hosts, the mood tilted, he said. “Afterwards, it kept going loudly at me from the ETuS Gelsenkirchen side for every decision I made.” Among other things, the 19-year-old had to hear that he was biased.

The atmosphere remained heated when Polat penalised an emergency stop against ETuS in the 40th minute and sent off a player with red. Later on, two of the home side’s players also received yellow cards after repeatedly grumbling.

Assault on the referee

After 71 minutes, the referee recognised a foul in the ETuS penalty area and awarded a penalty kick to Gelsenkirchen-Süd. The decision, which subsequently led to the only goal of the day (Burim Zumberaj converted to make it 1-0), again caused numerous protests. “When the situation calmed down a bit, I called a drinking break to de-escalate the situation a bit,” Polat explained. But even during the interruption, the 19-year-old faced grumbling ETuS players.

“After the break, the game continued for three or four minutes. Then a player who had already been cautioned protested loudly again after a foul and wanted to leave the pitch. So I ran to him and gave him a yellow card. Another cautioned player then held me by the shoulder. I also showed him a yellow-red.”

After the two yellow reds, the mood finally turned. “Gelsenkirchen-Süd tried to protect me, but a player from ETuS pushed me on the shoulder, which is why I stopped the game due to an assault on the referee,” the referee reported.

Altercation after the match

Polat then sought protection from the stewards and the referee and waited for the situation to calm down. After he had changed his clothes and collected his pay, he had a chat with a few Gelsenkirchen-Süd players on a bench. But that was not the end of the hectic game for the young referee.

“We talked for five to ten minutes. Then a player from ETuS came, who was actually on his way home. He saw me on the bench and said that if he saw me in private he would rip my head off. I told him to do what he wants, that I don’t want to talk about it anymore and I don’t care now.”

But the player, who had already seen yellow red on the pitch, had subsequently approached Polat, he said. “He came to me, head to head, insulted me and slapped me in the face,” recalls the referee, who confesses, “Out of reflex, I then insulted him and threw a glass bottle at him. I couldn’t react any other way at that moment, I was upset and out of reflex it happened after the slap.”

As Polat kept his distance, another ETuS player joined in. “He hit my neck and when I was already on the ground he kicked twice more.” Shortly afterwards, the referee was able to get to safety in his car and call the police. In hospital, he was then diagnosed with a bruise on his neck and shoulder respectively.

I have been refereeing for almost seven years and never expected something like this to happen.

Kerim Polat

As reported by the police, investigations are now being carried out “against a 32-year-old and a 42-year-old Gelsenkirchen man on suspicion of dangerous bodily harm”. Polat herself is also under investigation for the insult.

More than 24 hours after the incident, the shock still remains great. “I have been a referee for almost seven years and never expected something like this to happen. Of course, in the game something like this can happen because of emotions. But after the game, the matter is over,” the 19-year-old clarifies.

Polat also wants to send a clear statement against violence against referees:

“Violence against referees is a deeply regrettable phenomenon in sport that should have no place whatsoever on the pitch. Not only does it blatantly contradict the basic principles of fair play and ethics in sport, but it also jeopardises the integrity and fun of the competition.

We as referees play an indispensable role in sport by ensuring compliance with the rules and fairness on the field of play. Our decisions may occasionally be controversial, but we deserve respect and recognition for our difficult task. Violence against referees is not only physically damaging, but also leaves psychological wounds that often linger for a long time.

It is of utmost importance that sports organisations, clubs, players and fans actively combat any form of violence against referees. This can be achieved through clear rules, strict sanctions and a culture of respect and fairness. Because ultimately, a respectful attitude towards us referees not only helps make the sports field safer, but also raises the sport itself to a higher ethical level.

If we value sport as a platform for personal development, teamwork and community, we must stand firm against violence and disrespect on the field. Only in this way can we ensure that sport continues to be a place of fair play and the positive values that make it so special. “