German referees are now recognized as having the right to pursue legal action through labor courts, following a ruling by the 5th Chamber of the Regional Labor Court of Cologne. The decision, published on Wednesday, marks a significant development in the legal status of match officials within the German footballing system.
The case originated with a 28-year-old referee who sought compensation and damages after being excluded from the list of referees proposed for the 3rd division (3. Liga) due to his age. Initially, the Bonn Labor Court referred the case to the Frankfurt Regional Court, reasoning that no employment relationship existed.
However, the Cologne Regional Labor Court overturned this assessment, stating that the relationship between referees and the German Football Association (DFB) constitutes an employment relationship. The court determined that specific contractual arrangements, in conjunction with the DFB’s refereeing regulations, establish a degree of personal dependency. Furthermore, the obligation for referees to perform services personally, alongside the DFB’s near-monopoly position in the area of officiating, were identified as indicators of a dependent employment relationship.
It is important to note that this ruling is not yet legally binding. The court has permitted a legal appeal, opening the possibility for further review (resolution dated June 2025 – 5 Ta 58/25). The decision is likely to have ramifications for the legal framework surrounding officiating within German football.
