Holstein Kiel's Timo Becker wins Fair Play Moment of the Season, presented by Milka!
An act of true sportsmanship by Holstein Kiel's Timo Becker has been named the Fair Play Moment of the 2023/24 Season, presented by Milka.
>>> Find out more about the Fair Play of the Season award, presented by Milka!
"Fair play is what sport is really about. If you don't act fairly, your success isn't worth anything," said Bundesliga legend Philipp Lahm, explaining the Fair Play campaign. "It simply shows that you understand the rules, that you stick to them, that you respect boundaries, that you treat your opponents in the right way - and also the referee. That's all extremely important and it shows fair play."
Lahm had selected six fair play moments for fans, clubs and experts to vote on, with Kiel's Becker earning the most recognition from all parties. Supporter votes have the biggest share in the poll (40 percent). Experts and club each contribute 30 percent to the final result of the vote.
Winner
Becker was in the thick of things as Kiel took an important step towards promotion on Matchday 32 in Bundesliga 2. At one stage, the Holstein right-back went to ground following an aerial challenge in the area - except he wasn't looking for a penalty. "'You didn't hit me. It was just how I came down'," Becker told his opponent after the game. "I just believe that no matter where you are and what happens, you should always be fair in sport. Karma comes back to haunt you, if you don't. I'd rather be fair." And so it proved as Becker went on to score the only goal of the game.
Other contenders
Referees are usually given a watching brief in football matches, getting involved as little as possible. That is until a player’s life is potentially at risk, as Patrick Ittrich showed when he stepped in to administer first aid to an unconscious Josuha Guilavogui in Mainz's meeting with Bayern Munich on Matchday 25. The game was 33 minutes old at the Allianz Arena, when Ittrich sprang into action. Guilavogui had just collided with teammate Anthony Caci’s knee and was instantly knocked out. The referee, who is a police officer by profession, immediately recognised the gravity of the situation, as did fellow Mainz player Nadiem Amiri. Amiri rolled Guilavogui over into the recovery position, but the Frenchman had swallowed his tongue. Ittrich moved quickly to open up the 33-year-old’s airways and prevent him from potentially suffocating. "If someone’s lying there like that, then you just have to act quickly. There's no praise. It's done - and that's that," emphasised Ittrich after the game.
Watch: The 2023/24 fair play contenders
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