Hungarian basketball mourns loss of principled referee Berki János

Hungarian basketball has lost one of its most principled figures with the death of referee Berki János. Throughout the final decades of the last century, Berki was a dominant presence on the court. While fans frequently cursed his name and hurled insults, the article asserts that he never intentionally cheated.

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He may have been wrong sometimes. Moreover, he may have been wrong many times. But I knew few people in Hungarian sports who were more honest than him.

This sentiment is echoed by another long-time figure in Hungarian basketball, who witnessed Berki officiate numerous matches. The article highlights Berki's unwavering integrity, stating that few people in Hungarian sports possessed such honesty. His dedication extended beyond his assigned duties, as illustrated by an incident in 1987. When the designated referee for a crucial women's match between MTK-VM and Bp. Spartacus failed to appear, Berki, present as a spectator, immediately accepted the request to officiate. He was quickly equipped and stepped onto the court, saving the high-stakes game despite a strained relationship with the head of the referee committee at the time.

Berki also officiated the third game of the 1987 men's championship final, where Körmendi Dózsa MTE secured their first league title against Honvéd. Reflecting on the experience, Berki described it as a "huge thrill." He noted a positive shift in the behavior of the typically passionate Körmend crowd, who, on this occasion, cheered enthusiastically without resorting to intimidation or abuse directed at the opposing team or referees. Berki mentioned that he was largely unaffected by crowd noise, a testament to his focus.

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It was a huge thrill for me to officiate the match, and I am happy that I could officiate two of the three Körmend–Bp. Honvéd clashes, the first and the third.

The article also touches upon a past incident from 1994 where Berki was personally criticized in a match report following a Videoton-Csepel men's game. The report included a critique of his officiating, though the details of the criticism are not fully elaborated in the provided text. Despite the occasional controversies and fan reactions, Berki János is remembered as a referee who prioritized fairness and was always ready to help when needed.

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I must say that the Körmend public is different from the otherwise numerous and enthusiastic crowds in Baja, Zalaegerszeg, or Székesfehérvár. In Körmend, it is not the team's play that excites the fans, but the other way around; they drive the players into even better performance.