Markus Merk is a former top-level German football referee. He is a six-time winner of the German Referee of the Year Award and the record holder in games refereed in the Bundesliga. In 2005, Merk was awarded the German Bundesverdienstkreuz in recognition of his service to football and his charity work in India. He ended his career by refereeing the match between Bayern M�nchen and Hertha BSC Berlin on the last day of the Bundesliga season 2007/08 on May 17, 2008. He is considered to be one of the best referees to ever officiate, being ranked 2nd behind Pierluigi Collina, in the all-time rankings. He is currently the main referee commentator of the Turkish football channel Lig TV in 2010?2011 season. 

March 15th, 1962 in Kaiserslautern (Age 62)