July 9th 2024.
The upcoming Euro 2024 semi-final between England and the Netherlands has stirred up some controversy with the selection of referee Felix Zwayer. However, despite Zwayer's past involvement in a match-fixing scandal, England's manager Gareth Southgate remains unfazed and trusts UEFA's decision in appointing Zwayer as the referee for the crucial game.
There have been reports that Zwayer had accepted a bribe during a match in 2005, resulting in a six-month ban and a fine of £250. While this information was not disclosed until years later, Zwayer was found to have no deliberate errors in the match in question. Nevertheless, there were calls for him to be replaced for the semi-final, but UEFA conducted a review and chose to stick with him.
It's worth noting that Jude Bellingham, who plays for Borussia Dortmund, was fined €40,000 for bringing up Zwayer's past after a match against Bayern Munich in December 2021. However, Southgate emphasizes that he treats all referees with respect, and that will remain the case for Zwayer and his team.
Southgate faced the media at a press conference and expressed his faith in UEFA's selection process for referees. He also mentioned that he had not spoken to Bellingham about Zwayer and that he believes there is a right way to conduct oneself towards officials, which is crucial for the game's image.
The selection of Zwayer has raised some questions and concerns, but Southgate is not worried. He trusts that UEFA has chosen a highly qualified referee, and he intends to focus on the game and treat all officials with respect.
In their quarter-final match against Switzerland, England came from behind and won on penalties after a cautious approach from Southgate, who made his first substitution in the 78th minute. While some have criticized his cautious tactics, Southgate stands by his decisions and will not change his approach for the semi-final.
He explains that there are various reasons for making changes to the team, and he always assesses the players' physical condition, the balance of the team, and the individual performances before making any substitutions.
England's opponents in the other semi-final, the Netherlands, will face France. While the quick turnaround from the quarter-final win is not ideal, Southgate confirms that all the players have recovered well and are in good condition for the upcoming match.
With less time to prepare and recover in the biggest games, Southgate and his team have been working through things in meetings and have not had much time on the training pitch. However, he trusts his players' physical condition and will continue to assess them before the game to make any necessary decisions.
As Southgate prepares to take charge of his 101st England match, he knows that the game will take its course, and he trusts in his team's abilities and determination. The semi-final between England and the Netherlands is sure to be a highly anticipated and thrilling match, and Southgate and his team are ready to give it their all.
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