Bundesliga referee recovering from suicide attempt

Babak Rafati: The referee was found in the bath of his hotel room after trying to slit his wrists (Reuters)

The referee who attempted suicide hours before a Bundesliga game this weekend is recovering well and has been released from the hospital, the German Football Federation (DFB) said today.

The DFB said Babak Rafati's condition has improved and that he has been discharged from the Cologne hospital he was taken to on Saturday.

Rafati's lawyer told the DFB that the 41-year-old referee would continue with inpatient treatment for an undetermined period of time.

Rafati was found bleeding in his hotel bathtub before he was due to take charge of a game between Cologne and Mainz. The match was called off, and has been rescheduled for Dec. 13.

The DFB said Rafati requested "peace and quiet" and that he "now needs, above all, time and patience."

AP