Euro 2024: UEFA Urged to ‘Blacklist’ Referee Zwayer Following England’s Victory Over Netherlands

Former Netherlands striker Pierre van Hooijdonk has urged UEFA to ‘blacklist’ referee Felix Zwayer following England’s recent Euro 2024 semi-final victory over the Netherlands.

England will face Spain in the Euro 2024 final on Sunday in Berlin after Ollie Watkins’ 90th-minute winner secured a 2-1 win for Gareth Southgate’s side.

The Three Lions were awarded a penalty in the first half when Denzel Dumfries was judged to have clipped Harry Kane while attempting to block his shot. A VAR review led to Zwayer overturning his initial decision and awarding the penalty, which Kane converted.

Van Hooijdonk believes Zwayer should be banned from officiating major matches in the future.

“They [England] can thank Felix Zwayer. He really needs to be blacklisted. Terrible,” van Hooijdonk told NOS.

“In the second half, there was also a duel with Cody Gakpo where he blew his whistle again, ten meters from the linesman. Those moments were crucial in this match.”

He added, “We can talk about it at length, but if you’re going to award a penalty for this, then you could end up with eight of them in the final. Really terrible.”