Who is Felix Zwayer? PSG vs Arsenal referee for Champions League semi-final with match-fixing past | OneFootball

The controversial match official takes charge of the Champions League semi-final on Wednesday night

Zwayer began officiating 20 years ago and back in 2005 he was banned for six months after accepting a €300 bribe.

Last summer he took charge of four games at Euro 2024, including England’s semi-final win over the Netherlands.

That game saw Zwayer reunited with England midfielder Jude Bellingham, who accused him of being corrupt four years ago - and subsequently fined - when playing for Borussia Dortmund.

Felix Zwayer

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Who is Felix Zwayer?

Born in Berlin, Zwayer revealed during an interview with UEFA in 2023 how he always wanted to be a referee.

“I was a player, and I attended an indoor football tournament,” he said. “I was immediately fascinated by the two guys who were in charge of matches. I went straight home and told my parents that I wanted to be a referee.”

Zwayer swiftly joined his local federation, who accepted his request to start before the required age of 14.

He rose through the amateur and semi-professional ranks, eventually officiating games in the Bundesliga from 2009 onwards.

By 2012, he was refereeing on the international stage and has been trusted with big games - such as the Nations League final between Spain and Italy last year.

Zwayer is considered one of UEFA’s top referees and was among the 18 picked to take charge of games at Euro 2024.

Felix Zwayer officiating England vs Netherlands at Euro 2024

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His preparation for matches involves listening to music in the dressing room and heading to the stadium the day before a game.

“I actually love to go to the stadium for the pre-match training session,” Zwayer told UEFA.

“You get used to the venue and its environment, the people working there, the facilities. It means that as you get closer to the kick-off on the day, you’re already tuned in about what to expect.

“I personally like to put on headphones and listen to music in the dressing room – and that’s also because my colleagues don’t particularly like the music that I like to listen to!”

Away from football, Zwayer likes to spend time with his wife and two daughters. During an interview with UEFA, he revealed he is a lover of all sports, a keen badminton player and an enthusiastic cook. He is also a big music fan and, in particular, of open-air concerts.

“They’re very similar to big football matches in many ways,” he told UEFA. “A large audience, the atmosphere building up, the anticipation of a special moment to come…and then the performance finally happens.”