Arsenal fans on social media have fumed as the referee for their PSG semi-final was confirmed as an official once caught in a match-fixing scandal.
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PSG v Arsenal referee confirmedOfficial was in match-fixing scandalHas history with BellinghamFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Felix Zwayer, who was once suspended by the German Football Association for his involvement in the 2005 match fixing scandal in the country, will take charge of the Champions League clash in Paris, a game Arsenal must win if they are to reverse their 1-0 aggregate deficit. But Gunners fans are not happy with the appointment of the official, who also has history with Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Bellingham was fined €40,000 in 2021 when he criticised Zwayer in an interview after Borussia Dortmund had been beaten 3-2 by Bayern Munich. Angry at some of the decisions made during the game, Bellingham said: "You give a referee, that has match fixed before, the biggest game in Germany, what do you expect?"
WHAT THE FANS ARE SAYING
@JoshJohnOBrien1 said: "This is the guy Rice followed down the tunnel at West Ham – we are getting nothing"
Arsenal supporter @Aideri_afc said, pining for referee Clement Turpin: "I wanted the Trossard doppelganger though."
@Saka_is_GOAT highlighted the previous incident, saying: "Remember when Bellingham called out a Bundesliga referee for match fixing? This is the guy he was talking about."
@GeneralplugUno said: "I smell red card to arsenal"
@TheSweGooner added: "Things isn’t as black and white as you and many others in these comments judge this. Zwayer accepted €300 and ignored certain situations without actively influencing the outcome. He and three other referees reported Hoyzer to the DFB, triggering a major internal investigation."
Getty Images SportWHAT NEXT FOR ARSENAL?
Arsenal will be aiming to turn the tie around on Wednesday, with the winner meeting Barcelona or Inter in Munich on May 31.