Private Blog Network – German referee Felix Zwayer has officially been selected to officiate the Europa League final between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United. The match will take place on Wednesday, 21 May, in Bilbao, Spain. This all-English final marks a significant appointment for Zwayer, who is now one of Europe’s most experienced and high-profile referees. UEFA’s decision to appoint him comes just days after he oversaw Arsenal’s Champions League semi-final loss to Paris Saint-Germain. His experience also includes officiating England’s European Championship semi-final victory over the Netherlands last summer.
A Career Marked by Redemption and Controversy
Felix Zwayer’s appointment has stirred renewed attention due to his history. In 2006, he received a six-month ban following an investigation into match-fixing involving fellow official Robert Hoyzer. Felix Zwayer was accused of accepting a £250 bribe but has always denied any wrongdoing. Importantly, he was also one of the key whistleblowers in the case, which led to Hoyzer receiving a lifetime ban. UEFA’s relatively short suspension of Zwayer at the time was seen as recognition of his role in exposing the corruption. Since then, he has rebuilt his career and emerged as one of the top referees on the continent.
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Public Scrutiny and the Bellingham Incident
Despite his professional rise, Zwayer has not been free from criticism. In 2021 England midfielder Jude Bellingham then playing for Borussia Dortmund. Publicly questioned Zwayer’s integrity following a contentious decision in a Bundesliga match. Bellingham referenced the referee’s past suspension, stating, “What do you expect when you give a match to a referee that has match-fixed before?”. He was later fined €40,000 (£34,000) for those remarks. The incident highlights the lingering skepticism some players and fans still have regarding Zwayer’s past, even as UEFA continues to back his officiating credentials on the biggest stages.
Other European Final Appointments Announced
UEFA has also confirmed referees for the other two major European finals this season. Bosnian official Irfan Peljto will oversee the UEFA Conference League final between Chelsea and Real Betis, scheduled for 28 May in Wroclaw, Poland. Meanwhile, Romanian referee Istvan Kovacs has been appointed to officiate the Champions League final between Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan on 31 May in Munich, Germany. These appointments complete the list of officials for Europe’s top club competitions this year, reflecting UEFA’s confidence in experienced referees amid increasing pressure and scrutiny.
Wendy Corner