The center referee for the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/uefa-european-championship-tv-schedule/">Euro 2024</a> semifinal match between England and the Netherlands, Felix Zwayer, is already at the center of controversy. Zwayer previously served a six-month ban for accepting a bribe of 300 euros and assisting another referee in match-fixing. That happened back in 2005, and Zwayer has since risen to become a UEFA referee in the category of elite. Therefore, he often works top fixtures in the Bundesliga or international competition, like the Euros.



However, it is wrong to have Zwayer working games of this magnitude given his history. Even though Zwayer served the punishment, there is an essence of the issue in having the same problems flare up again. The German FA was clearly not happy with the fact that one of its referees committed a match-fixing offense. It held the suspension as a secret for years until a German newspaper revealed a secret German file.



Match-fixing has long been an issue in soccer, and the fact that someone known to have committed it is refereeing a major semifinal is a poor look. This is not to say Zwayer will accept a bribe or commit another offense that amounts to match-fixing. However, it gives one team an easy excuse to point to should things go awry. Referees will always be at the center of attention for games like this that are sure to call for controversy. Having Zwayer at the center of it only turns the focus away from the sporting event.



<h2>Previous altercations with player involved for Felix Zwayer at Euro 2024</h2>



Zwayer’s suspension for match-fixing occurred during a 2. Bundesliga match. Therefore, none of the players on England or Switzerland can directly point to him and say he has wronged them before. However, that does not stop the altercations from rising since Zwayer returned from his brief suspension.



Jude Bellingham will start for England in the middle of the park as one of its most important players. Going back to his time at Borussia Dortmund, Bellingham played in a game where Zwayer was the center referee. Controversial calls went against Bellingham, and the English star called the referee’s qualifications into question. 



“You give a referee, that has match fixed before, the biggest game in Germany. What do you expect?” <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5622020/2024/07/08/england-netherlands-ref-felix-zwayer/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Bellingham said</a> after the game.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="675" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20240708_WST_515292_Bellingham-Zwayer-1200x675_acaed611.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=675" alt="" class="wp-image-515307" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/07/Bellingham-Zwayer-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/07/Bellingham-Zwayer-300x169.jpg 300w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/07/Bellingham-Zwayer-768x432.jpg 768w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/07/Bellingham-Zwayer-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/07/Bellingham-Zwayer.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure></figure>



That comment earned Bellingham a fine that amounted to over $43,000. Zwayer took a two-month leave of absence after that incident in 2021, but he has since returned to refereeing in Germany and other contests. Notably, he was the center referee for a Europa Conference League tie between <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/conference-league-referee-has-history-of-match-fixing-ban/">Aston Villa and Olympiacos</a>.



UEFA is reviewing the appointment of Zwayer to officiate the game between England and the Netherlands. Yet, all signs point to the governing body sticking with Zwayer as the official for Wednesday’s game. If UEFA stands by its appointment, there are concerns about the integrity of the game based on Zwayer’s past. Even if nothing happens, it should be a concern that UEFA continues to revert to referees with a history of issues.



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UEFA wrong to use match-fixing referee at Euro 2024

The center referee for the Euro 2024 semifinal match between England and the Netherlands, Felix Zwayer, is already causing controversy.

Thursday brings Aston Villa to Athens to take on Olympiacos in Piraeus in Leg 2 of the Europa Conference League semi-finals. The English side trails by two goals after the first leg. Still, the club sitting fourth in the Premier League is rearing for a comeback in Europe. To advance to the championship match against Club Brugge or Fiorentina, they will need to win by a score of three goals or more at the Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium.



Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez was out with an injury and a ban for the first leg. However, he might get the nod to start the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/conference-league-tv-schedule/">second leg</a>, which could give <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/aston-villa-tv-schedule/">Villa</a> a lift. After a strong performance against Brighton on Sunday, Robin Olsen will likely go to the bench.



<h2>Conference League referee has a history of match-fixing</h2>



Villa’s comeback will be one of the storylines to follow in Greece. The main referee for the match recently served a six-month ban for a match-fixing incident in Germany. 42-year-old Felix Zwayer will officiate Thursday’s match. Despite his status as a UEFA “elite category” referee, the German has a checkered past. Zwayer’s half-year ban came following his role in a match-fixing penalty in 2005, <a href="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2024/05/07/aston-villa-olympiacos-conference-semi-referee-match-fixer/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Telegraph</a> reports. Allegations surfaced that Robert Hoyzer, his fellow referee for the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/where-to-watch-the-bundesliga-on-us-tv-and-internet/">Bundesliga</a>, had taken bribes to manipulate games. In their report, Zwayer and three other officials detailed the illicit actions. But as part of the lawsuit, Zwayer served a six-month suspension. In 2021, during <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/borussia-dortmund-tv-schedule/">Borussia Dortmund</a>‘s match against <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/bayern-munich-tv-schedule/">Bayern Munich</a>, the event was brought up once more. The decision to dismiss Dortmund manager Marco Rose and not award a penalty was met with strong criticism. The game resulted in a 3-2 victory for Bayern, thanks to a goal by Robert Lewandowski.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="670" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20240508_WST_505679_Zwayer-BEllingham-1200x670_97e07a22.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=670" alt="" class="wp-image-505700" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/05/Zwayer-BEllingham-1200x670.jpg 1200w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/05/Zwayer-BEllingham-300x168.jpg 300w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/05/Zwayer-BEllingham-768x429.jpg 768w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/05/Zwayer-BEllingham.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure></figure>



<h2>What did Borussia Dortmund players say then?</h2>



Zwayer did not engage in match-fixing himself. Rather, he helped Hoyzer and took a bribe from him, leading to his ultimate punishment in 2005. In an interview, former Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham said: “You can look at a lot of other decisions in the game.



“If you give a referee, who has, you know, match-fixed before, the biggest game in Germany, what do you expect?” The German football federation ultimately fined Bellingham for his remarks.



But that didn’t stop former Dortmund striker Erling Haaland from slamming the referee as well: “As I said he was very arrogant. It seems like he wanted the headlines and he will get them now because he made many mistakes. He was not a good referee. What can I say? Not a good game from him.”



In the aftermath of the scandal, Zwayer stepped away from officiating. In February 2022, he made a comeback in a Europa League quarterfinal match between West Ham and Lyon, angering Moyes. The German booked Moyes for his complaints after the official gave Aaron Cresswell the marching orders.



Zwayer also presided over last summer’s Nations League final, which pitted Spain against Croatia. Among his accomplishments this season are the Europa League triumph for Brighton over Roma and Arsenal’s Champions League win against PSV Eindhoven.



PHOTOS: IMAGO

Conference League referee has history of match-fixing ban

Thursday's Europa Conference League between Aston Villa and Olympiacos has several storylines, including a match-fixing ban for a referee.

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Conference League referee has history of match-fixing ban