June 20, 2006
BIG TIME
Merk, 'best referee,' to work U.S-Ghana game

Cologne, Germany -- FIFA is certainly taking the U.S.-Ghana match very seriously.

Soccer's world governing body announced Tuesday that German Markus Merk, considered the best referee in the world in many quarters, will officiate Thursday's vital World Cup Group E match in Nuremberg.

Merk won honors as the best referee in the world in 2004 and 2005.

Merk, 44, the most experienced referee on the FIFA list, worked the middle of the Euro 2004 final and the 2003 Champions League final. He is considered a candidate to officate the World Cup championship match in Berlin on July 9 if Germany doesn't reach the final.

He most recently officiated Brazil's 2-0 opening-round win over Australia.

Merk, who calls Otterbach, Germany home, is a dentist by occupation. He also is am ambassador for the International Red Cross.

-- Michael Lewis