Twenty years ago, Felix Zwayer, the referee of the Euro 24 semi-final between the Netherlands and England was involved in a match-fixing scandal. After his controversial penalty decision during the game, an influential figure in the football community called for him to be “blacklisted.”

A controversial penalty

Last night, 40,000 supporters flocked to the German stadium where the Euro 24 semi-final between England and the Netherlands was to be played. Around the world, millions of fans were preparing to watch some of the best players in the world face off on the green grass. Just seven minutes into the game, Dutch player Simons, only 21 years old, sprinted down the right wing and scored, igniting roars of joy from the Dutch fans. However, their happiness didn’t last past the 16th minute, when referee Felix Zwayer, after consulting with the VAR team, decided to award a penalty to England. Kane, the English captain, slotted the ball into the goal.

Never a penalty 😂😂— Jamie Carragher (@Carra23)

On the field, players gathered to express their discontent. Dutch player, Virgil van Dijk’s rebellious anger was broadcast around the world as he circled the referee. Jamie Carragher, a respected former Liverpool player and prominent commentator, ignited hostilities on social media, criticising the referee’s decision. Many fans, including some from England, sided with him. By the end of the game, England had won, and the Dutch were fuming. “The English team can thank Felix Zwayer. He really needs to be blacklisted,” spat Van Hooijdonk, former Nottingham Forest striker, mincing no words.

Van Dijk’s reaction

Later, as saddened Dutch supporters slowly left the stadium, a defeated and heartbroken Van Dijk sombrely reflected on the game in a post-match interview with beIN Sports. Wondering if the referee’s decision could have been different and if the outcome could have been more favourable to his team, he declared: “It says it all that the ref went in quite quickly after the game and we had no time to shake his hand. They keep changing so many things, small changes that could have big impacts. Let them [the referees] come here and explain themselves, like we [the players] have to do when we do something wrong. I think that might be something.”

"It says it all that the ref went in quite quickly after the game and had no time to shake his hand."

A visibly emotional Virgil Van Dijk talks to after the controversial penalty decision! | | |

— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS_EN)

Who is Felix Zwayer?

Back in 2004, Zwayer, then a young referee of just 23, accepted €300 from another referee, Robert Hoyzer. Not long after, Robert Hoyzer was caught match-fixing after awarding two phantom penalties, influencing the outcome of a game. His unfounded decisions raised suspicions, leading to an investigation by the German Football Association. Hoyzer admitted to match-fixing, and while being interrogated, also testified that he gave €300 to Zwayer. Despite this, the football association was unable to prove that the game in question had been manipulated, and Zwayer consistently denied influencing the game’s outcome. Hoyzer received a two-year prison sentence and a lifetime ban from football, while Zwayer was banned from officiating for six months for failing to refuse Hoyzer’s approach and failing to report it. Yet, time forged redemption. In the ten years following this event, Zwayer rebuilt his reputation and his career and was named Germany’s Referee of the Year in 2014. But, as everything was going well for Felix Zwayer, the details of his past became public. The shock for German fans wasn’t just about what could be attributed to a youthful error; it was compounded by the German Football Association’s decision to keep it quiet all these years.

Bellingham’s anger

However, since 2004, Zwayer’s professionalism and honesty were never questioned again – until 2021. During a match involving Jude Bellingham’s club at the time, Borussia Dortmund, Zwayer’s decisions regarding VAR usage drew criticism. His apparent reluctance to take a second look at the VAR screen after denying a penalty for a tackle on a Dortmund player was contentious. When minutes later, the winning goal was scored during a penalty awarded to the opposite team awarded via VAR, which he had so sparingly utilised earlier, fans seethed with frustration. After the game, Jude Bellingham, defeated and exasperated, declared, “You are giving a referee who has already fixed matches before the biggest game in Germany. What do you expect?” Bellingham was fined €40,000 for this comment. When football fans learned that Felix Zwayer had been chosen to referee the Euro 24 semi-final, many questioned the decision. Despite these controversies, has defended its choice to appoint Zwayer, now 43. After all, over the past 20 years, Felix Zwayer has had time to prove his honesty and atone for his original sin.

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