**Felix Zwayer to Officiate Europa League Final Amid Shadow of Past Controversy**
Felix Zwayer, a German referee whose career has been marked by both high-profile appointments and lingering controversy, has been chosen by UEFA to oversee the forthcoming Europa League final between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur. The decision places Zwayer at the centre of one of European football’s most anticipated matches, yet also renews scrutiny over an episode from his past that once led to his suspension from the game.
Zwayer, now 43, has become a familiar face at international fixtures, recently managing the Champions League semi-final between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal. Nonetheless, his reputation still carries the imprint of a scandal dating back to 2005, when the official was implicated in a match-fixing investigation involving a fellow referee, Robert Hoyzer.
Hoyzer’s case shook German football after it emerged he had accepted substantial sums—reportedly around €67,000—to manipulate multiple matches for the benefit of a Croatian betting syndicate. The most notorious incident involved a German Cup tie that saw Hamburg controversially eliminated by Paderborn, with dubious refereeing decisions directly influencing the outcome.
Zwayer’s involvement in the affair led to a six-month suspension as authorities probed allegations that he had accepted a bribe of £250 from Hoyzer. Zwayer, who was then in his early twenties and still establishing his refereeing career, consistently denied wrongdoing. He maintains to this day that he rejected Hoyzer’s offer and promptly informed colleagues about the attempted corruption. According to Zwayer, Hoyzer had proposed fixing a 2. Bundesliga match between Rot-Weiss Essen and Cologne—a suggestion Zwayer says he refused outright before alerting the appropriate authorities.
Despite the gravity of the scandal, Zwayer was among several officials who aided investigators, and he ultimately returned to officiate at the top levels of the game. Over the years, his assignments have included some of the continent’s most prominent fixtures, underscoring UEFA’s continued faith in his abilities. Notably, Zwayer took charge of England’s victory over the Netherlands in the Euro 2024 semi-final, once again placing him at the heart of major footballing events.
Yet, Zwayer’s previous ban remains a matter of public debate. The matter re-emerged during a heated encounter in the Bundesliga, when Jude Bellingham, then at Borussia Dortmund, referenced Zwayer’s suspension while voicing anger at several contentious decisions in a pivotal match against Bayern Munich. Bellingham’s remarks—which pointedly questioned Zwayer’s suitability to referee a match of such magnitude given his history—led to a €40,000 fine for the England international, charged with unsportsmanlike conduct.
Zwayer responded to the controversy by expressing disappointment over Bellingham’s comments, extending an invitation for a private discussion. He stated that he would have welcomed an apology, emphasising that the allegations cast unfair aspersions on his professionalism and integrity as a referee. Zwayer argued that the remarks were both personal and disparaging and insisted that, regardless of criticism, he always strives to officiate matches impartially and to the best of his ability.
As Zwayer prepares to oversee the eagerly awaited Europa League final, discussion persists regarding the appropriateness of appointing officials with chequered histories to the biggest stages of European football. However, UEFA’s repeated selection of Zwayer for prestigious matches suggests a belief in his competence, and perhaps also a willingness to allow for personal redemption within the sport.
For the teams involved—Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur—the focus will undoubtedly be on the football itself. Yet for many watching, the man with the whistle remains as much a subject of fascination as those on the pitch. As the final approaches, the debate over trust, integrity, and redemption in the world of refereeing shows no sign of abating.