Photo by England’s Euro 2024 Semi-Final Referee Has a Dark Past
England’s Euro 2024 semi-final against the Netherlands in Dortmund is just around the corner, but the team’s players and fans might not be too thrilled to learn that the referee in charge of the match has a shady past. German referee Felix Zwayer has been appointed by UEFA to take charge of the crucial match, despite having a history of match-fixing.
Felix Zwayer, the referee in charge of England’s Euro 2024 semi-final
Back in 2005, Zwayer was involved in a match-fixing scandal and served a six-month ban after accepting a £250 bribe from fellow referee Robert Hoyzer. This dark past has raised eyebrows, especially among England players, including Jude Bellingham, who has had a run-in with Zwayer in the past.
In 2021, Bellingham was fined £34,000 for post-match remarks about Zwayer after Borussia Dortmund lost to Bayern Munich following a controversial penalty decision. The England star brought up Zwayer’s match-fixing history during a post-match interview, saying: “You give a referee that has match-fixed before, the biggest game in Germany, what do you expect?”
Jude Bellingham, the England star who has had a run-in with Zwayer in the past
Norwegian TV journalist Jan Aage Fjortoft, who conducted the interview, has also expressed his surprise at Zwayer’s appointment, saying: “I am not sure what UEFA are thinking by putting Zwayer in charge of the England game.”
Despite Zwayer’s controversial past, UEFA insists that he is one of their top officials and has been appointed to the match due to his experience and expertise. However, this decision is unlikely to go down well with Bellingham and the rest of the England team.
In other news, Bellingham has already been hit with a £25,000 fine and a one-match ban suspended for a year after making a gesture following his late leveller with Slovakia. England boss Gareth Southgate has defended Bellingham’s actions, saying: “I thought it was a common sense decision. Clearly, when you score a goal of the quality that he did at the moment he did at the age he is, you are going to have an incredible rush of adrenaline.”
Gareth Southgate, the England boss who has defended Bellingham’s actions
The controversy surrounding Zwayer’s appointment is likely to add an extra layer of tension to an already highly anticipated match. Will England be able to put aside their concerns and focus on the game, or will Zwayer’s past come back to haunt them?
England will face the Netherlands in the Euro 2024 semi-final
Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure - this match is going to be one to watch.
The Euro 2024 semi-final is just around the corner
