Referee Felix Zwayer to Officiate England vs Netherlands Euro 2024 Semi-final

German referee Felix Zwayer has been appointed to officiate the Euro 2024 semi-final clash between England and the Netherlands, scheduled for Wednesday. The 43-year-old, hailing from Berlin, will lead an all-German officiating team in Dortmund.

This match holds significance due to Zwayer’s previous interactions with Jude Bellingham. The duo’s history stems from a incident in December 2021, where Zwayer’s decisions were critiqued by Bellingham after a game between Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich.

Following the contentious match, Bellingham was fined by the German FA for remarks made towards Zwayer after he awarded a penalty to Bayern Munich. The situation escalated as Bellingham mentioned Zwayer’s past association with match-fixing, sparking controversy.

Despite Zwayer’s involvement in a match-fixing scandal in 2005, where he was implicated alongside referee Robert Hoyzer, the German denied any wrongdoing and subsequently received a six-month ban from the DFB.

In response to Bellingham’s comments, Zwayer defended his decisions in an interview with Sky Germany, emphasizing the professionalism and integrity of his refereeing.

Zwayer’s appointment for the semi-final marks his fourth match in Euro 2024, having previously officiated games between various nations including Albania, Portugal, Romania, and Italy. His track record and experience will be closely watched in the upcoming high-stakes encounter.

The clash between England and the Netherlands holds immense anticipation, with both teams vying for a spot in the Euro 2024 final. Zwayer’s role as the referee adds an intriguing layer to the semi-final, given the history between him and key figures in the tournament.