Revealed: England’s Euro 2024 semi-final referee was involved in German match-fixing scandal… and has history with Jude Bellingham that forced him to take a two-month break

Jude Bellingham will come face-to-face with referee Felix Zwayer, who he launched an extraordinary attack on by bringing up his involvement in a match-fixing scandal, when he takes charge of England’s Euro 2024 semi-final on Wednesday night. 

The Three Lions face the Netherlands in Dortmund for a place in Sunday’s final. The fixture will be officiated by the German referee Zwayer, who has taken charge of three games in the competition, including the Netherlands last 16 win over Romania. 

However, attention has been drawn to statements made by Bellingham during his time in Germany when he brought up the official’s past involvement in a match-fixing scandal following Borussia Dortmund’s 3-2 defeat by Bayern Munich in 2021. 

Dortmund players that day were furious with the referee over a number of decisions during the derby match, in particular a penalty which was awarded after Mats Hummels appeared to handle in the area when the scores were level at 2-2. 

‘You give a referee that has match-fixed before, the biggest game in Germany what do you expect?’ Bellingham told Viaplay Football after the match. 

German referee Felix Zwayer will take charge of England’s Euro 2024 semi-final against the Netherlands

The official has history with England star Jude Bellingham from his time in Germany with Borussia Dortmund

The then-18-year-old Bellingham hit out at Zwayer after Dortmund’s loss to Bayern Munich

Zwayer was banned for 6 months for his involvement which included accepting a €300 bribe from fellow referee Robert Hoyzer. Bellingham was investigated by German police after a criminal complaint was filed over his comments and subsequently hit with a £34,000 fine. 

Eyebrows have been raised over UEFA’s decision to appoint Zwayer as the man in the middle on Wednesday night given his history with the England star. Norwegian journalist Jan Aage Fjortoft, who conducted the interview, raised concerns following the announcement.