Germany's Felix Zwayer will referee the second European Championship semi-final between England and the Netherlands on Wednesday. A tricky task for the referee in view of the previous incident involving Jude Bellingham.
08.07.2024, 12:07
08.07.2024, 12:29
SDA
The incident, which will accompany Zwayer in his fourth assignment at this tournament, happened two and a half years ago and made waves at the time. In Dortmund, where the second semi-final will also take place on Wednesday evening, the then BVB youngster Bellingham severely criticized referee Zwayer after the top match of the Bundesliga against Bayern Munich (2:3). The Englishman said: "You give the biggest game in Germany to a referee who has postponed games before."
Bellingham, who was angered by two controversial penalty decisions, was referring to Zwayer's involvement in the Robert Hoyzer manipulation scandal 20 years ago. The proceedings against Zwayer were dropped due to minor guilt in exchange for a fine.
Bellingham's words triggered a great deal of discussion in Germany. Zwayer later declared that he had received death threats in the days following the match. The then 18-year-old English midfielder was fined 40,000 euros by the DFB sports court.
