Bundesliga referee Dr Felix Brych has been named the 'Referee of the Year' for 2017 by being honoured with the 'Globe Soccer Award' in Dubai. The 42-year-old from Munich picked up the accolade, which is presented every year by the European Club Association (ECA) and European Football Agents Associations (EFAA) for outstanding performances in football, from UEFA’s chief referee Pierluigi Collina. Brych was honoured alongside Cristiano Ronaldo (Best player of 2017) and Real Madrid (Best Team of 2017), while Carlos Puyol and Francesco Totti were both recognized for their services to football during long careers.

FIFA referee Brych, who has been named as one of the organizations designated officials for this summer’s tournament in Russia, was delighted when he heard he had won the award during his winter training camp in Mallorca. “After being named World Referee of the Year, this Globe Soccer Awardis further recognition for my achievements in the last year. My team and I are delighted and will use this as further motivation for 2018, where participation at the World Cup will hopefully be a highlight.”