You do wonder what UEFA are thinking when it comes to appointing referees for the semi finals. An official from Slovenia (not exactly a major football nation) is in charge of Spain v France tonight then for England’s game they give the whistle to a ref who has been involved in a match fixing scandal. Are they really the best two candidates?
Any particular reason you think an official should come from a major football nation? I'd have thought if they're the best it ought not to matter where they are from.
Agree with the optics of the other one - though I think it should probably be stressed that he hasn't been found guilty of anything.
I believe that high profile games of such importance should be refereed by officials from countries where they are involved every week in top level football in front of big crowds and where they have a proven ability to handle the pressure. That can hardly be said of a Slovenian official. Regarding Zwayer, he did receive a six month suspension following allegations that he accepted a bribe.
Back in younger years I'm sure it was only Henry Kelly on Going for Gold who ever referred to the Netherlands. Holland was always used.
Feels a bit like West Ham playing at Upton Park, always known as that. Then all of a sudden people pretended it was and had always been the Boleyn Ground
Most people only visit the Holland region. The Dutch government wanted the Netherlands to become the main name to encourage tourism throughout the country.
I am not doubting his abilities as a referee and I’m sure he regrets what he did many years ago, but when you have a long list of highly qualified officials with no skeletons in their cupboards, why choose someone who you know is going to attract adverse publicity?
Marcelo Bielsa has recently said that the game is going downhill in quality as it gets more popular. He'll be kicking his bucket out from under his feet if this ends with a France England final.
Your whole argument falls down when considering the performances of so called top referees from the premier league this season. Some of whom made it to the tournament this summer.
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British Bulldog was our game in the 60s. 🙄
"For my sins" might be the appropriate phrase.
Still : Holland next
4-1 Sheringham Shearer etc, what a night that was.
That lay off from Sheringham for Shearer to lash in possibly the best hit slice of all time was some feeling.
Netherlands. It's no longer PC to refer to them as Holland (although they definitely were in my youth).
You do wonder what UEFA are thinking when it comes to appointing referees for the semi finals. An official from Slovenia (not exactly a major football nation) is in charge of Spain v France tonight then for England’s game they give the whistle to a ref who has been involved in a match fixing scandal. Are they really the best two candidates?
Any particular reason you think an official should come from a major football nation? I'd have thought if they're the best it ought not to matter where they are from.
Agree with the optics of the other one - though I think it should probably be stressed that he hasn't been found guilty of anything.
I believe that high profile games of such importance should be refereed by officials from countries where they are involved every week in top level football in front of big crowds and where they have a proven ability to handle the pressure. That can hardly be said of a Slovenian official. Regarding Zwayer, he did receive a six month suspension following allegations that he accepted a bribe.
How do you think he handled this season's Champions League final?
Zwayer's offence was 19 years ago and he personally exposed the match fixing scandal. You are a very harsh man!
Back in younger years I'm sure it was only Henry Kelly on Going for Gold who ever referred to the Netherlands. Holland was always used.
Feels a bit like West Ham playing at Upton Park, always known as that. Then all of a sudden people pretended it was and had always been the Boleyn Ground
Reading the reason why, it appears that Holland only applies to two regions of the Netherlands, when there are 12 regions in total.
Weird how people have called it Holland for many a year though.
Most people only visit the Holland region. The Dutch government wanted the Netherlands to become the main name to encourage tourism throughout the country.
Dutch?
I am not doubting his abilities as a referee and I’m sure he regrets what he did many years ago, but when you have a long list of highly qualified officials with no skeletons in their cupboards, why choose someone who you know is going to attract adverse publicity?
Is he any good at plumbing?
Harsh maybe but at least he knows the correct usage (as an adjective) of ‘proven’ !!
Also might not help our cause that Bellingham repeated the allergation previously:
https://www.theguardian.com/football/article/2024/jul/08/semi-final-referee-felix-zwayer-has-history-with-englands-jude-bellingham
Wow cracking first 5 minutes from Spain; France are struggling to lay a glove on Williams & Lamine Yamal
Fantastic response from France on 8.5 minutes to go 1 up
Literally after you said that France are 1-0 up
I admit its all my fault
Marcelo Bielsa has recently said that the game is going downhill in quality as it gets more popular. He'll be kicking his bucket out from under his feet if this ends with a France England final.
Both will have to raise their games to get there, France seem more than up for the challenge so far.
Wow seriously wow what a goal from Lamine Yamal to draw Spain level
There will never be a more mental photo in football than Messi giving baby Yamal a bath.
Shame the BBC commentary hasnt been close to the standard of football on show
Olmo will be denied credit for that goal no doubt as the defender stuck it in the net despite it clearly heading in anyway
A lot of love for Nottingham on here, a place where Mbappe is known as Mcobbe
I was doubtful about the wisdom of his appointment but I have to admit that the Slovenian referee was excellent tonight.
Your whole argument falls down when considering the performances of so called top referees from the premier league this season. Some of whom made it to the tournament this summer.
Anthony Taylor for a start.
Is this real? Surely not?!?