Manuel Gräfe Appeals for €830,000 in Age Discrimination Case Against DFB

The former Bundesliga referee argues for compensation over lost earnings, with the Frankfurt Higher Regional Court set to hear the appeal this week.

Manuel Gräfe, a former Bundesliga referee, is seeking €830,000 in damages from the German Football Association (DFB) for alleged age discrimination.
Gräfe was forced to retire in 2021 due to the DFB's age limit policy, which mandates retirement for referees at 47 years old.
In January 2023, the Frankfurt Regional Court awarded Gräfe €48,500 for age discrimination, but he appealed for further compensation for lost earnings over three additional seasons.
The DFB also appealed the initial ruling, arguing there was no guarantee of referee assignments even if Gräfe had remained eligible.
The appeal hearing at the Frankfurt Higher Regional Court, delayed twice in 2024 due to procedural issues, is now scheduled for later this week.