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

Record ID: 79890

  • Title: From the World Cup to the Bavarian eighth division - Syrian refugee intends to referee again in Germany
  • Date: 7th November 2016
  • Summary: PYRBAUM, GERMANY (NOVEMBER 6, 2016) (REUTERS) CLUBHOUSE PYRBAUM AND PAN TO SIGN FOR CLUBHOUSE SIGN FOR CLUBHOUSE HAMDI AL-KADRI WALKING INTO CHANGING ROOM FOR REFEREES AL-KADRI GETTING READY MAP WITH LICENSES AL-KADRI PUTTING ON FOOTBALL-BOOTS AL-KADRI WALKING OUT OF CHANGING ROOM AL-KADRI WALKING ONTO PITCH AL-KADRI WALKING WITH TEAM TO KICK-OFF POINT AL-KADRI AND PLAYERS (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) HAMDI AL-KADRI, [BEING ASKED ABOUT THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AND WORLD CUP MATCH AND A MATCH IN THE EIGHTHS DIVISION], SAYING: "The games are different because of the level of playing. Meaning, the higher the level the easier it is for the referee. That is the case, because the players need to work harder, but it is generally easier for the referee." AL-KADRI TOSSING COIN BALL
  • 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: LVA00157G47RB
  • 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
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2016. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
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