Cologne and Mainz top flight Bundesliga game was called after 41 year old Banker Babak Rafati who had been due to referee the tie attempted suicide in his Hotel room.
Rafati’s assistants new there was something a miss when the referee of over 200 top flight games including Champions League ties was unusually late and not answering his phone.
German FA President Theo Zwanziger released a statement saying: “Once he did not show up, because he is always on time, they tried to reach him by phone in his room,” Zwanziger said.
“They went (to the hotel) and found the door locked. They knocked, no one opened, then they quickly opened the door with the help of hotel staff. They told me what they found.
“I would ask you to save me from giving out details. He was in the bath tub — and if after these few hours his prognosis is that he is out of danger, then the assistant referees are to thank for that.
“I think the most important news is that, health-wise, Babak Rafati is stable. Obviously he will be in (intensive care) in the coming days and will need intensive treatment.”
