Merk receives UEFA Fair Play award

Fair Play pin
Merk was presented with a UEFA Fair Play pin by UEFA Chief Executive Gerhard Aigner before the match between AFC Ajax and RC Celta de Vigo in the Amsterdam Arena.

Final contribution
The vastly experienced referee was given the award by European football's governing body in recognition of his contribution to the 2002/03 Champions League final between AC Milan and Juventus FC in Manchester last May.

Guide – not punish
"Respect for opponents is one of the key elements of Fair Play. Nowhere was this made more obvious than during last season's UEFA Champions League final," said UEFA. "Thanks to the attitude of the players and, not least, the performance of the German referee Markus Merk, whose attitude was to guide rather than punish."

High note
"The final produced two hours of highly competitive action, handled by Markus Merk in a way which allowed the season to end on a high note," UEFA added. AC Milan won European club football's most prestigious trophy after a penalty shoot-out, following a goalless draw over 120 minutes.