Controversy Surrounds Referee Appointment for England’s Euro Semi-final Clash

Controversy has erupted over the appointment of referee Felix Zwayer to officiate England’s Euro semi-final against Netherlands amidst Zwayer’s controversial past and history with Three Lions player Jude Bellingham.

Zwayer, who was once banned for match-fixing, was announced as the lead referee for the semi-final, supported by Stefan Lupp and Marco Achmuller in an all-German officiating team chosen by UEFA.

Known for accepting a £250 bribe from fellow referee Robert Hoyzer, resulting in a six-month ban, Zwayer has since officiated in the Bundesliga and major tournaments, including last year’s Nations League final between Spain and Croatia.

Leading up to the semi-final, Zwayer has handled three Euro 2024 matches, including Italy‘s victory over Albania, Turkey‘s loss to Portugal, and Netherlands’ win against Romania, issuing a total of 13 yellow cards.

One of Zwayer’s most notable incidents involved a controversial penalty decision in a Bundesliga match between Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, where Jude Bellingham openly criticized Zwayer’s past involvement in match-fixing.

Following Bellingham’s comments, he was fined and investigated, leading to Zwayer taking a two-month break from refereeing while Dortmund stood by Bellingham’s statements, expressing support for him.

The decision to appoint Zwayer for the England game has sparked surprise and concern, particularly with Bellingham being a key player for the Three Lions, prompting UEFA to review the situation and defend their selection.

In response to questions about the referee, England manager Gareth Southgate maintained his team’s respect for officials and emphasized the importance of conducting oneself appropriately towards referees for the game’s image.

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