Markus Merk

FIFA World Referee in 2004, 2005 and 2007

Markus Merk

FIFA World Referee in 2004, 2005 and 2007

Markus Merk is a three-time World Referee of the Year, World Referee of the Decade, sought-after football expert and, during his active time, one of the most respected and best football referees in the world. From 1988 to 2008, Markus Merk (*1962) refereed matches in the Bundesliga, and between 1992 and 2007 he also worked as a FIFA referee. With over 339 appearances in Bundesliga matches, he holds the absolute record. Markus Merk is a 7-time referee of the year in Germany and has been voted world referee three times (2004, 2005 and 2007) by experts from over 100 countries. He is the youngest referee to have refereed the German Cup Final in 1993 at the age of 31, the Cup Winners' Cup Final in Rotterdam in 1997, Paris St. Germain - FC Barcelona, and the Champions League Final in Manchester in 2003, AC Milan - Juventus Turin. He is the only German referee to officiate at two European Championships, 2000 in the Netherlands and Belgium, 2004 in Portugal. He is also the only German referee to officiate at the two World Championships in Korea/Japan and the German summer fairytale in 2006. The 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona round off his international tournament highlights. Beyond national and international football events and his profession as a dentist, however, there is a completely different, more decisive world for Dr. Markus Merk: In 1991, he began working as a dentist in South India, founded independent development projects in the following years and became involved with various aid organisations. In 2021, Markus Merk and his wife founded the Dr Markus and Sabine Merk Foundation, which recognises, promotes and honours the voluntary work of young people. In 2005, he was awarded the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany for his sporting and social achievements, and the German sports press described him as a "sportsman with a heart". In addition to many other honours, he received the annual prize of the Kinderschutzbund (Child Protection Association) in 2006 with the "Indienhilfe Kaiserslautern", which he founded, as well as the "Ethics Prize of Sport" from Cardinal Lehmann in 2007. Markus Merk is not only a much sought-after lecturer, but also a much sought-after and competent TV football expert. He has been commentating live on the Turkish SüperLIG in Istanbul for several years and is a referee expert for the pay-TV channel Sky.

About Markus Merk

Markus Merk is a three-time World Referee of the Year, World Referee of the Decade, sought-after football expert and, during his active time, one of the most respected and best football referees in the world.

From 1988 to 2008, Markus Merk (*1962) refereed matches in the Bundesliga, and between 1992 and 2007 he also worked as a FIFA referee. With over 339 appearances in Bundesliga matches, he holds the absolute record. Markus Merk is a 7-time referee of the year in Germany and has been voted world referee three times (2004, 2005 and 2007) by experts from over 100 countries.

He is the youngest referee to have refereed the German Cup Final in 1993 at the age of 31, the Cup Winners' Cup Final in Rotterdam in 1997, Paris St. Germain - FC Barcelona, and the Champions League Final in Manchester in 2003, AC Milan - Juventus Turin. He is the only German referee to officiate at two European Championships, 2000 in the Netherlands and Belgium, 2004 in Portugal. He is also the only German referee to officiate at the two World Championships in Korea/Japan and the German summer fairytale in 2006. The 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona round off his international tournament highlights.

Beyond national and international football events and his profession as a dentist, however, there is a completely different, more decisive world for Dr. Markus Merk: In 1991, he began working as a dentist in South India, founded independent development projects in the following years and became involved with various aid organisations. In 2021, Markus Merk and his wife founded the Dr Markus and Sabine Merk Foundation, which recognises, promotes and honours the voluntary work of young people.

In 2005, he was awarded the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany for his sporting and social achievements, and the German sports press described him as a "sportsman with a heart". In addition to many other honours, he received the annual prize of the Kinderschutzbund (Child Protection Association) in 2006 with the "Indienhilfe Kaiserslautern", which he founded, as well as the "Ethics Prize of Sport" from Cardinal Lehmann in 2007.

Markus Merk is not only a much sought-after lecturer, but also a much sought-after and competent TV football expert. He has been commentating live on the Turkish SüperLIG in Istanbul for several years and is a referee expert for the pay-TV channel Sky.

Topics

  • Motivation
  • Decision-Making
  • Leadership