With the German referees, Paris Saint-Germain has already experienced nightmarish evenings in the Champions League. The “raid” of FC Barcelona at Camp Nou in March 2017 (6-1) remains the most striking in its history, when Deniz Aytekin had been cataloged “Pro Barça” by being particularly severe towards the Parisians in the last quarter of an hour during which the eleven of Unai Emery had taken the water.
This Wednesday, in the semi-final return of the most prestigious of European competitions, it was Felix Zwayer who was retained by UEFA to arbitrate PSG-Arsenal to the Parc des Princes. A referee with the sulfurous past known to all in his country. In May 2004, as an assistant, he had manipulated a German Cup match between Paderborn and Hamburg by accepting several sums of money from bettors from foreign countries. This is how he had influenced the result by hosting … 300 euros from Robert Hoyzer, the main referee.
Jude Bellingham had questioned his probity
More than two decades later, his past returns to him regularly in the face and this affair is often reminded to him as soon as he achieves approximate performance. “How can the German League entrust the reins of a match of such importance to this referee in the past so sulphurous?” »»had notably launched the current Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham, then in Dortmund, after a Borussia-Bayern. “We still speak of an individual who participated in a case of corruption. »» The English environment directly alluded to this corruption scandal.
“He should no longer have the right to exercise as an arbitrator in professional football”
Due to the strong pressure that had shone on his shoulders and heated debates throughout the microcosm of the round ball, Berlin had even thought of putting an end to his career. After several months of investigation during which he had stopped proclaiming his innocence, he had finally conceded having cheated. The Berlin prosecution had excavated at his home before suspending him for six months (Hoyzer had been banished for life). Since then, at each of its disputed decisions in the middle of a match, the past reappears irreparably, and the German media never hesitate to refer to this dark fall 2004.
Still considered a top referee by UEFA
Former referees also shoot red balls on Zweyer. “The one who accepted money once and who has hidden Hoyzer’s manipulation for six months should no longer have the right to exercise as an arbitrator in professional football”said Manuel Gräfe, considered the best German referee in 2020 and today retired. Several years ago already, voices had raised to say that Zweyer was responsible for a weight which he could no longer get rid of.
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Before arbitrating the semi-final of the last euro between England and the Netherlands (2-1), the British newspaper Daily Mail had titled his front page: “This referee is a condemned manipulator”. It is now considered today as one of the best continental whistles by UEFA, regularly chosen for important matches.
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