EHF referees in tragic accident
EHF referees in tragic accident
It is with great sadness that the European Handball Federation has to report the death of two of its leading elite referees, Bernd and Reiner Methe, on the evening of Friday 11 November 2011.
The two referees were involved in a fatal car accident whilst travelling to a German Bundesliga match between HBW Balingen-Weilstetten and SC Magdeburg.
EHF President, Tor Lian, said: "This terrible news has come as a devastating shock to all those who knew Bernd and Reiner. They were two exceptional and highly respected referees and their untimely deaths will be a great loss for German handball as well as the international game. Our thoughts are now with their families and friends."
Sandor Andorka, Chairman of the EHF Technical Refereeing Committee, said: "Bernd and Reiner were both extremely gifted and intelligent referees, who always put handball first. We have not just lost two exceptional referees but two close friends and colleagues."
Bernd and Reiner Methe were due to referee the EHF Women's Champions League match between RK Krim Ljubljana und Larvik HK on Sunday 13 November 2011.
Following this tragic accident, all matches in the EHF Women's Champions League as well as EHF club matches taking place in Germany over the weekend will be marked by a moment of silence.
The European Handball Federation would like to express its deepest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Bernd and Reiner Methe.
