How AFLE’s new referee program could change European American Football
The American Football League of Europe (AFLE) is focusing on officiating as it prepares for its inaugural 2026 season. After announcing its new Officiating Department earlier this year the league is now backing up its message with action: a referee-focused content series featuring interviews, behind-the-scenes insights and educational clips across YouTube and social media.
AFLE’s Officiating Department – the foundation for fair football
In its official press release, AFLE introduced its Officiating Department as a key step toward “fairness, professionalism and high sporting standards.” The department is led by Malte Scholz, Damian Jurzyk and Michael Kattillus, with Scholz serving as the official representative.
The goal is clear and ambitious: build a performance-driven officiating program that treats referees as what they truly are: high-performance athletes who need structure, support and constant development. The league expects around 80 officials from across Europe, bringing together some of the highest-qualified referees currently active in American Football.
Why referees matter in American Football more than you think
AFLE’s message is clear: officiating is not just about throwing flags. Officials protect players, uphold the integrity of the sport and ensure that games are decided by execution, not chaos. That becomes even more important in a league that operates on a professional level.
Consistency is also a major focus. AFLE highlighted that communication and shared rule interpretation are essential to create fairness across the league. The department will work closely with teams and the league office to keep expectations aligned and reduce avoidable controversy.
A new referee content series on social media
Now, AFLE is expanding the topic beyond press releases and into public visibility. The league is starting a referee interview series, featuring multiple officials and a wide range of questions about their role, preparation and mindset.
The full interviews will be published on AFLE’s YouTube channel, while shorter highlights will be shared across the league’s social media platforms. The goal is simple: make officiating more transparent, more relatable and easier to understand for fans, players and coaches alike.
With the Officiating Department and the new content series, AFLE is showing that referee development is not an afterthought. It’s part of the league’s core identity. In a sport where one call can change a drive or even an entire season, the AFLE wants to build trust early and set a professional standard before its first kickoff in 2026.
