Felix Brych breaks the record for most Bundesliga matches officiated.
Kudos to Felix Brych: After a lengthy injury layoff, the Munich ref has claimed the top spot for most Bundesliga matches officiated, surpassing Wolfgang Stark's record.
Felix Brych, now at 345 games, stands alone as the Bundesliga's all-time referee. The 49-year-old returned after a 294-day recovery from knee surgery, surpassing Wolfgang Stark's record set in May 2017.
Brych, before his comeback, had told SID, "I wasn't eyeing the record. Sharing it with Stark was fine. My sole aim was to return." He had no intention of retiring, as he stated, "I didn't want to just quit like that."
"Poured in the work day and night recently"
Brych made his return in the first-round DFB Pokal match between VfR Aalen and Schalke 04 (0:2). Knut Kircher, the new referee chief, praised Brych, saying, "He's fit. He's passed his fitness tests. He'll be on the pitch for the first-matchdays. We're fortunate to have him." Brych's assignment was possible, given the absence of age limits.
The Bavarian Football Association (BFV) congratulated Brych. BFV president Christoph Kern appreciated Brych's dedication, stating, "His comeback after such a severe injury speaks volumes about Felix, who's put in tireless work day and night in recent months to get back in shape." Brych was motivated by the desire to return to the pitch, "a goal he's achieved impressively - many would have given up in his situation."
Brych's severe injury came during his first record-breaking match. Following the Eintracht Frankfurt vs. VfB Stuttgart (1:2) affair on November 25, 2023, he underwent surgery. Since beginning his refereeing career for the DFB in 1999, Brych has been named Ref of the Year five times. He retired from international refereeing at the end of 2021.
After his successful return to the pitch, Felix Brych officiated a Bundesliga match with passion and skill. His love for soccer drove him to pour in the work day and night, ensuring he was prepared for his comeback.
