A German referee once criticised over his match-fixing past by Jude Bellingham will officiate England’s European Championship semi-final against the Netherlands on Wednesday.
Zwayer will lead an all-German refereeing team for the match.
Back in 2021, when Bellingham played for Borussia Dortmund, the English midfielder was fined 40,000 euros (£34,000) for referencing Zwayer’s previous suspension related to match-fixing allegations.
Zwayer received a six-month ban in 2005 after an investigation revealed he had accepted a £250 bribe from fellow official Robert Hoyzer.
Hoyzer, in turn, was handed a lifetime ban from football following the scandal.
Bellingham’s remarks followed Dortmund’s 3-2 loss to Bayern Munich. During the match, the referee opted not to award Dortmund a penalty but did award one to their opponents.
Speaking on Viaplay at the time, an 18-year-old Bellingham remarked, “You appoint a referee with a history of match-fixing to officiate Germany’s biggest game. What do you expect?”
Bellingham has been a pivotal figure in England’s 2024 Euros journey.
He scored a crucial equaliser in the final minute of regular time against Slovakia in the round of 16 and successfully converted a penalty in the team’s quarter-final shootout victory over Switzerland.
Additionally, Bellingham found the net against Serbia during the group stage.
The Football Association has chosen not to issue a statement regarding the matter.