Benjamin Barth (43) is a basketball referee. He has overseen more than 500 games in the German Bundesliga. He was also active in the Euroleague. But suddenly Barth was no longer assigned international games, the 43-year-old tells the “Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung”. The reason? Barth’s beard!
He was told by Richard Stokes, the Euroleague’s chief referee, that beards are frowned upon. Chat logs should document the discussion. In addition, chief referee Stokes discussed the beard issue with Barth over the phone. During the conversation that Barth had over the hands-free system in the car, a journalist sat next to him as a witness. At the time, Stokes said that coaches and sports directors didn’t like facial hair: “It would be a shame if you had to leave the Euroleague because of that,” the referee warned. But when Barth refused to shave, he stopped getting games.
Apology came by letter
The referee didn’t let that sit on him. Barth turned on lawyers, he threatened to go public with the story. And now he did. The German was not only concerned with himself, but also with the fact that such incidents will not happen once more in the future. “You have to see whether the organization really changes. But it is important that the public knows regarding this process,” says Barth.
In the meantime, those responsible for the Euroleague have apologized to Barth in a letter. It describes Stokes’ actions as misguided and unacceptable. In addition, it is made clear that in the future no referee will have to appear fully shaved at a game. Stokes also has his say. He apologizes to Barth, saying he is “very sorry”. He wanted to meet with Barth and also apologize “personally” to Barth. (mum)
