German amateur football faces referee shortages and new rule complexities

Amateur football in Germany is facing dual challenges regarding officiating. In the BSA Unterelbe region, several clubs are reporting significant shortages of referees for the 2026/27 season. Notable deficits include Altonaer Fußballclub von 1893 e. V. with 26 missing referees, Spvg. Blankenese von 1903 e. V. with 14, and Rissener Sportverein von 1949 with 14.

Simultaneously, new playing rules implemented for the 2026/27 season are increasing the administrative burden on officials. These rules aim to combat time-wasting by introducing visible five-second countdowns for throw-ins and goal kicks, as well as ten-second limits for substitutions. Additionally, players receiving medical treatment must remain off the pitch for one minute. SBFV referee ombudsman Ralf Brombacher noted that these changes present practical difficulties for referees in lower leagues who lack assistants and technical aids to track multiple time penalties.