July 15 – Leading German referee Felix Brych has retired from the international game and won’t officiate at the World Cup in Qatar, he announced.
At Euro 2020, Brych led five matches, including the round of 16 Belgium vs Portugal and the semi-final Italy vs Spain. He was a referee at the last three major tournaments preceding Euro 2020.
“I was still missing a big, successful international tournament in my career,” said Brych. “Now my career feels perfect.”
“At the Euro, I was extremely focused for weeks, otherwise you can’t compete successfully in a tournament like this. I don’t think I can repeat this performance or motivation. That’s why I decided not to whistle another tournament and to end my international career at the turn of the year.”
Byrch officiated the 2014 Europa League final as well as the 2017 Champions League final between Real Madrid and Juventus in Cardiff. He however wants to continue to referee matches in the German Bundesliga.
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