The middle referee for the Euro 2024 semifinal match between England and the Netherlands, Felix Zwayer, is already on the heart of controversy. Zwayer beforehand served a six-month ban for accepting a bribe of 300 euros and helping one other referee in match-fixing. That occurred again in 2005, and Zwayer has since risen to turn into a UEFA referee within the class of elite. Due to this fact, he typically works prime fixtures within the Bundesliga or worldwide competitors, just like the Euros.
Nevertheless, it’s fallacious to have Zwayer working video games of this magnitude given his historical past. Though Zwayer served the punishment, there may be an essence of the problem in having the identical issues flare up once more. The German FA was clearly not pleased with the truth that considered one of its referees dedicated a match-fixing offense. It held the suspension as a secret for years till a German newspaper revealed a secret German file.
Match-fixing has lengthy been a difficulty in soccer, and the truth that somebody identified to have dedicated it’s refereeing a significant semifinal is a poor look. This isn’t to say Zwayer will settle for a bribe or commit one other offense that quantities to match-fixing. Nevertheless, it offers one staff a straightforward excuse to level to ought to issues go awry. Referees will at all times be on the focus for video games like this which are certain to name for controversy. Having Zwayer on the heart of it solely turns the main target away from the sporting occasion.
Earlier altercations with participant concerned for Felix Zwayer at Euro 2024
Zwayer’s suspension for match-fixing occurred throughout a 2. Bundesliga match. Due to this fact, not one of the gamers on England or Switzerland can immediately level to him and say he has wronged them earlier than. Nevertheless, that doesn’t cease the altercations from rising since Zwayer returned from his transient suspension.
Jude Bellingham will begin for England in the course of the park as considered one of its most necessary gamers. Going again to his time at Borussia Dortmund, Bellingham performed in a sport the place Zwayer was the middle referee. Controversial calls went towards Bellingham, and the English star known as the referee’s {qualifications} into query.
“You give a referee, that has match fastened earlier than, the most important sport in Germany. What do you count on?” Bellingham mentioned after the sport.
That remark earned Bellingham a superb that amounted to over $43,000. Zwayer took a two-month go away of absence after that incident in 2021, however he has since returned to refereeing in Germany and different contests. Notably, he was the middle referee for a Europa Convention League tie between Aston Villa and Olympiacos.
UEFA is reviewing the appointment of Zwayer to officiate the sport between England and the Netherlands. But, all indicators level to the governing physique sticking with Zwayer because the official for Wednesday’s sport. If UEFA stands by its appointment, there are considerations in regards to the integrity of the sport based mostly on Zwayer’s previous. Even when nothing occurs, it needs to be a priority that UEFA continues to revert to referees with a historical past of points.
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