England’s referee for their Euro 2024 semi-final against the Netherlands is Felix Zwayer, a convicted ‘match-fixer’.
In 2005 Zwayer served a six-month ban after accepting a €300 (£253.82) bribe from a fellow referee, Robert Hoyzer.
He also has a history with Jude Bellingham, who hit out at Zwayer after he officiated a Bundesliga match between Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich in 2021.
On today’s episode of the It’s All Kicking Off! Euros Daily podcast, Ian Ladyman, Sami Mokbel, and Dominic King explain why they do not have a problem with Zwayer taking charge of England’s game.
Mokbel argues that it is unjust to hold an offence from 19 years ago against him, saying that his ‘past is his past’.
King thinks it is a ‘slight on a man’s integrity’ and ‘very unfair,’ also giving examples from last season which demonstrate why Zwayer should be trusted.
Elsewhere on the episode, the team dive into Ronald Koeman’s ‘Godfather’ status in the Netherlands and break down Gareth Southgate’s frustration at team leaks.
Mail Sport’s experts explain why we should trust Felix Zwayer despite his previous match-fixing conviction