More than just a referee: Karl-Heinz Arnold and his legendary gesture

Why I Became a Referee – The Beginning of an Unexpected Passion

“I thought to myself: I can do this better.”

This is how Karl-Heinz Arnold's path to becoming a referee began. When he was watching a game, he was particularly struck by the referee's performance, and in a negative way. It was a good friend of all people who was refereeing the game. For Karl-Heinz it was clear: “I can do better.” This thought never left him.

Back then, however, getting into refereeing wasn't as easy as it is today. You couldn't simply take part in a course; you first had to apply to the district chairman and were only admitted to the course if you were qualified. Only when this was successfully completed could you officially call yourself a referee.

Today the path is completely different, less complicated, but perhaps also less selective. For Karl-Heinz Arnold, it was the beginning of a long and committed refereeing career that began with a simple thought: “I can do better.”

A life at the whistle - Karl-Heinz Arnold's refereeing career

Karl-Heinz Arnold, born on March 23, 1952, has been an influential figure in South Baden football for decades. His hometown club was FC Konstanz 1900 VfR, which dissolved due to a merger. He was loyal to this club as well as to the Bodensee district, where he worked for many years in a variety of functions, as a referee, observer, teacher and official.

His refereeing career began in 1976. Over two decades he officiated numerous games at district and association level. A particular highlight of his active time was the management of F-Junior auditions in Stuttgart's Neckarstadion, between VfB Stuttgart and FC Steißlingen, for the first time on October 20, 1984 and again in 1985 and 1986. He whistled his last game on November 15, 1997, just a month before he suffered his first heart attack. His active service on the pitch came to an end, but his commitment to and for football continued unabated.

Karl-Heinz Arnold took on responsibility off the field early on. From 1977 to 1986 he was youth relay leader in the Bodensee district youth committee. He worked as secretary in the Konstanz referee group from 1978 to 1980. Further decades in the service of referees followed: He was active as a teacher in the Bodensee district from 1982 to 2000, and at the same time he was an assessor for public relations in the district referee committee from 1986 to 2020. As an observer, he shaped countless young generations of referees, from 1988 to 2022 as a district observer and from 1993 to 2020 as an association observer.

Karl-Heinz Arnold has also taken on important tasks in the Bodensee district football committee for many years. He has been the district press officer since 1991. He has been the relegation game director in the men's division since 1999 and has also been a DFBnet multiplier since 2003. He has been the game director of the men's district cup since 2011. In 2023 he also took over the management of friendly games and tournaments for active players, both in the men's and women's areas. He will also serve as the active relay team leader (men) until 2025.

His extensive commitment was recognized in 2021 with honorary membership of the Bodensee Referees Association, a well-deserved recognition for his decades of voluntary work for football.

Karl-Heinz Arnold is an example of all those who dedicate themselves to amateur football with passion, perseverance and a sense of responsibility, on and off the pitch. His work has shaped football in the Bodensee district for generations.

"I will never forget that" - Karl-Heinz Arnold on one of his most important refereeing moments 

Not every significant football event arises from a goal, a penalty or a controversial decision. Sometimes it's quiet gestures that leave a deep impression, like that moment in Stuttgart that became known far beyond the football field.

In the spotlight: referee Karl-Heinz Arnold. At a youth game he stopped the game, not because of a foul or injury, but because he noticed that a small player had his shoes untied. Instead of simply continuing the game or pointing it out to someone, Arnold himself walked up to the boy, knelt down and tied his shoes.

A photographer captured this moment. The resulting image, Arnold in a black referee jersey, the boy waiting quietly, became a symbol of humanity and care in football. It spread quickly, was shared widely and touched people far beyond sport.

This scene shows that a good referee not only pays attention to the rules, but also to the people on the pitch. Such gestures are invaluable, especially in youth football, where fairness, role models and respect play a central role.

Karl-Heinz Arnold's decision to stop the game for a brief moment became one of the most moving events in refereeing, a quiet but powerful proof that football is not only played with the feet, but also with the heart.

Between fair play and responsibility - memories that remain

For many, being a referee can be associated with pressure, hectic pace and conflicts. But anyone who knows Karl-Heinz Arnold knows: his many years of work on the pitch were characterized by balance, trust and mutual respect, values ​​that for him went far beyond just whistling.

One of the best experiences he reports is the feeling that everything calms down again after the game. Even though things could get heated during the 90 minutes, with emotions, discussions or tricky decisions, things usually quickly returned to normal after the final whistle. The players, coaches and spectators found their way back to sporting fairness, shook hands, and the feeling remained that they had been part of a game that was based on mutual respect. For Arnold, this was always a sign that his calm and matter-of-fact management was having an effect.

He remembers a particularly impressive moment that says a lot about the trust he has built up over the years: Before a game, a coach came up to him; he had known him for many years. With a smile he said: "I'm not worried today. You blow the whistle - then it will be a relaxing day for me as a coach."

Such words are more than just praise for a referee. They are recognition for fairness, for calm charisma and for a prudent understanding of the game. Karl-Heinz Arnold has embodied exactly that over the years: not being the center of the game, but rather the reliable framework in which everyone can move safely.

It is these quiet but significant moments that shape his career, moments in which trust was felt and football was what it should always be at its best: a respectful, communal sport.

Out of conviction - what motivated Karl-Heinz Arnold again and again

Life as a referee is often characterized by tension, responsibility and constant attention on the pitch. For Karl-Heinz Arnold, this task was a matter of the heart for many years, in the truest sense of the word. But his career took an unexpected turn in 1997.

On December 15, 1997, Arnold suffered his first heart attack. A drastic event that forced him to stop playing on the field. After this incident, the physical strain that comes with being a referee was no longer possible in the usual way. Nevertheless, Arnold never completely let go of football, on the contrary: he found new ways to stay connected to the sport.

He had also been active as a referee observer since 1988, a role that he carried out with great care and commitment until 2020. For over three decades he accompanied young referees as well as squad referees up to the association league, analyzed game management and passed on his experience with a sense of proportion and fairness. His calm demeanor and trained eye made him a valuable mentor for many young referees.

Today, Karl-Heinz Arnold continues to work in the service of football; as district press officer, he ensures that information, reports and stories from the Lake Constance district as well as from the refereeing industry are professionally communicated to the outside world. For him, press work is not only a new task, but also an opportunity to remain part of the events and strengthen the community.

Despite health setbacks, Karl-Heinz Arnold never lost contact with sport. His path impressively shows how diverse and deeply connected a commitment to refereeing can be, even if one's own role changes over time. His story is an example that setbacks can open new doors and that passion for football has many faces.

Book “Successfully against the tide”, signed by the Bundesliga coach 
Klaus Schlappner

His first contact with b+d All-purpose - A look back

When Karl-Heinz Arnold began his career as a referee in 1976, he had no idea how diverse and far-reaching his involvement in football would become. However, his sense of quality became apparent early on, not only on the pitch but also in his choice of equipment.

Company founder Winfried Baaser pointed out the company's advantages to him B+D all-purpose sporting goods attention, especially because of the high-quality jerseys, which quickly became known and appreciated among referees. The robust workmanship, the functional fit and the well thought-out design immediately convinced Arnold. Since then, B+D has been an integral part of his equipment, and he himself was the district manager of the B+D company for many years Allzweck Sportartikel.

A special memory is associated with one of his last Fox 40 whistles, one of the loudest referee whistles in the world. When the pipe was delivered, it came with a clearly visible warning: “Do not use near the ear, risk of hearing damage.” This note remained in Arnold's memory to this day, not only because of the warning itself, but also as evidence of the enormous power of this small but crucial tool. The whistle itself was a faithful companion for him for many years, loud, precise and reliable, just like a referee needs.

These little stories from practice show how closely everyday life on the pitch is linked to the right equipment, and how important quality, reliability and experience are. For Karl-Heinz Arnold, the tip from his district manager was not just a good tip, but the beginning of a long connection to a brand that accompanied him for many years as a referee.

Starting a new era: Expectations for the next generation of referees

In football, the focus is usually on the players, but without referees there would be no fair game. Young referees in particular often face major challenges. Unfortunately, a lack of respect, heated discussions and even personal attacks are still part of everyday life on the pitch.

Karl Heinz Arnold, experienced referee and trainer, has clear words about this. When asked what he wants for the future of refereeing, he answers:
“The interaction between the teams should improve, and also with the referee.”

It's not just about accepting decisions, but about seeing the person behind the pipe. Referees are not opponents, they are part of the game. Only with mutual respect can football remain what it should be: a fair and communal sport.

Arnold's stance on this is clear:
“We can talk before the game and after the game – but during the game I talk.”

A phrase addressed to everyone on the pitch as a reminder that the referee has responsibility during the game and this should be respected. This is the only way a new generation of referees can develop with joy and safety.