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The center referee for the Euro 2024 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.
Previous altercations with player involved for Felix Zwayer at Euro 2024
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…
Source link : https://worldsoccertalk.com/uefa-euro/uefa-wrong-to-use-match-fixing-referee-at-euro-2024/
Author : Kyle Fansler
Publish date : 2024-07-08 20:44:31
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