Babak Rafati (Persian: بابک رفعتی; born 28 May 1970) is an Iranian-German former football referee.[1]
| Born |
28 May 1970 Hanover, West Germany | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Height | 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) | ||
| Other occupation | Banker | ||
| Domestic | |||
| Years | League | Role | |
| 2000–2011 | 2. Bundesliga | Referee | |
| 2005–2011 | Bundesliga | Referee | |
| International | |||
| Years | League | Role | |
| 2008–2011 | FIFA listed | Referee | |
As of February 2010, he has officiated more than 150 matches in the Bundesliga and the 2. Bundesliga. As of November 2011, he has officiated 84 top-flight German league games.[2]
Suicide attempt edit
Rafati was scheduled to referee a Bundesliga match on 19 November 2011 between 1. FC Köln and 1. FSV Mainz 05, but never arrived, leading to the match's abandonment after a replacement could not be found.[3] He was later found in his hotel room, having attempted suicide, and was rushed into intensive care.[2][4] He confirmed that he was suffering from depression, and that would like to return to refereeing after he finished undergoing therapy.[5] Incidentally, his debut officiating a Bundesliga game was a match between Köln and Mainz 05 on 6 August 2005.
References edit
- ^ "Babak Rafati" (in German). kicker.de. Archived from the original on 10 February 2010. Retrieved 14 February 2010.
- ^ a b "Bundesliga game called off after referee's suicide bid". BBC Sport. 19 November 2011. Retrieved 20 November 2011.
- ^ "Köln vs. Mainz called off". bundesliga.de. Archived from the original on 26 November 2011. Retrieved 19 November 2011.
- ^ "Köln gegen Mainz abgesagt". Sportschau (in German). ARD. Retrieved 19 November 2011.
- ^ "Referee Babak Rafati seeks return after suicide attempt". BBC Sport. 25 November 2011. Retrieved 28 November 2011.
External links edit
- Babak Rafati at DFB (also available in German)
- Babak Rafati referee profile at WorldFootball.net
- Babak Rafati referee profile at Soccerway
- Babak Rafati at WorldReferee.com
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