From the World Cup to the Bavarian eighth division - Syrian refugee intends to referee again in Germany

Record ID: 79889

  • Title: From the World Cup to the Bavarian eighth division - Syrian refugee intends to referee again in Germany
  • Date: 7th November 2016
  • Summary: (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) HAMDI AL-KADRI, SAYING: "I remember a great organisation in Germany. It was the best organisation of a tournament I have ever seen. And it was at a very high level. There were many great players, Ronaldo (Brazil), all German players were stars, Buffon from Italy... I can't remember all the great names, there were too many." FIFA LOGO (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) HAMDI AL-KADRI, SAYING: "I with that my children can finish their school here in Germany and can go on to study whatever they want. And that we can have a stable life, Germany is a stable country. The future is safe."
  • Embargoed: 22nd November 2016 13:14
  • Keywords: Syria Bavaria refugee soccer referee
  • Location: PYRBAUM, GERMANY
  • City: PYRBAUM, GERMANY
  • Country: Germany
  • Topics: Soccer,Sport
  • Reuters ID: LVA00357G47RB
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Hamdi Al-Kadri used to referee soccer matches with players as big as Ronaldo. Now, forced to flee his native Syria, he oversees amateur matches as a way to integrate into his new home country, Germany.
    The 51-year-old former FIFA referee fled the Syrian civil war in 2012 after his house in Damascus was destroyed in an air raid, first heading to neighbouring Jordan and then making it to Germany with his wife and four children.
    The last time he was here was in very different circumstances - as an assistant referee in the 2006 World Cup.
    "I remember how well organised it was in Germany. For me it was the best organised very high-level tournament of all time," he said.
    Now he is back as one of more than a million migrants who have arrived in Germany this year and last.
    While the general mood towards migrants has soured, Al-Kadri's new club - SV Postbauer - could not believe its luck when the former full-time referee turned up.
    On Sunday he refereed for them for the second time, handing out seven yellow cards.
    Al-Kadri got a refereeing licence from the Bavarian Football Association (BFV) in September - a small piece of paper that gives him a lot of hope.
    "I wish that my children can finish their school here in Germany and can go on to study whatever they want," he said.
    "Germany is a stable country. The future is secure."
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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