Felix Zwayer Referee in Euro 24 Semifinal: After referee Felix Zwayer was named the man in charge of the Euro 24 semifinal match against the Netherlands on Wednesday, there were cries in England for him to be replaced. The 43-year-old German will, have the whistle when the game begins since UEFA ignored such cries. However, why was there so much disagreement? Let’s examine the man in question.
Referee in Euro 24 Semifinal: The career of Felix Zwayer as a referee
Zwayer, who was born on May 19, 1981, has officiated international matches since 2012 and the Bundesliga since 2008. Even with all of his experience, he has not had an easy career. At the age of 23, he started off as a referee back in 2004. Then, in 2007, he was given his first significant opportunity when he was elevated to officiate in Germany’s 2. Bundesliga and, shortly after, hired as an assistant referee in the same league. Zwayer had joined the nation’s top level as a full-time referee by the 2009–10 season.
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At a relatively young age, Zwayer was involved in a match-fixing controversy in 2005. Zwayer revealed that 2. Bundesliga referee Robert Hoyzer was collecting payments to rig games, along with many other high-ranking officials. Later on, it came to light that Zwayer had taken a €300 bribe to put Hoyzer’s actions behind him. Zwayer was consequently barred from officiating for six months. In 2012, he was added to the International FIFA List, continuing his upward trajectory in the officiating world despite this setback following the ban.
FIFA chose him to be one of the video assistance referees for the Russia 2018 World Cup. He oversaw Spain vs. Croatia in the 2023 UEFA Nations League Final more recently, and he has often officiated high-stakes games in European club competitions.
Bellingham and Zwayer
This refers to an incident that occurred in December 2021 during a highly contentious Bundesliga game between the two top teams, Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich. Some are requesting a shift away from English due to this event. Zwayer came under fire for failing to give Dortmund a penalty, dismissing Marco Rose as their coach, and giving Bayern a spot kick during their pivotal 3-2 triumph.
Jude Bellingham, a Dortmund player at the time, publicly questioned Zwayer’s moral character after the incident, citing his prior involvement in the aforementioned match-fixing case. The young English player was fined €40,000 (about $43,000) for the statements, and the two will now rematch on the field of his former club, BVB Stadion Dortmund.
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For England vs. Netherlands, who is the VAR?
Bastian Dankert, a German video assistant referee, will assist Zwayer during the match. The complete list of referees for the semifinal match between the Netherlands and England is available here.
Zwayer has already overseen three games this tournament: Portugal’s 3-0 victory over Turkey, Italy’s opening match against Albania, and the Netherlands’ 3-0 triumph over Romania in the round of 16. With our William Allen’s astute commentary, you can keep up with all the action from Dortmund right here on AS USA. He will be closely monitoring any contentious choices.
