Tottenham Manchester United Ange Postecoglou Ruben Amorim
(Credit: Imago)
Tottenham News speaking to John Wenham
Sun 18 May 2025 7:40, UK
UEFA have caused surprise with one decision ahead of the Europa League final between Tottenham and Manchester United.
Ange Postecoglou will be looking to save Spurs’ season and make history when the Lilywhites travel to the Estadio de San Mamés on Wednesday (21 May).
Tottenham have had a difficult season, with several injuries to contend with throughout the year, and are currently 17th in the Premier League, while United sit just one place above their Europa League final opponents.
This has led to many criticising the fact that one of these teams will qualify for the UEFA Champions League by winning the Europa League, and criticism around this particular final seems to be far from over in light of a recent announcement.
Ange Postecoglou
Postecoglou has a chance to win the Europa League with Tottenham (Credit: Imago)
Felix Zwayer to referee Tottenham v Manchester United
UEFA officially announced on Monday (12 May) that Zwayer will referee the Europa League final in Bilbao.
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As reported by the BBC (12 May), Zwayer once served a ban for alleged involvement in a match-fixing plot. The 43-year-old was given a six-month suspension in 2006 after he was investigated for taking a £250 bribe from official Robert Hoyzer, who was handed a lifetime ban.
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Zwayer’s refereeing record
Zwayer has denied the wrongdoing. However, Lilywhite Rose owner John Wenham – speaking exclusively to Tottenham News – is surprised to still see the German refereeing.
“I’m surprised this referee hasn’t been disbarred altogether,” Wenham said.
“If he was banned for alleged involvement in a match-fixing plot, that really puts a question mark over him. Therefore, I’m surprised he is refereeing at all.
“He was allegedly involved in an incident which suggests dishonesty. As a result, I’m not sure he should be refereeing at all.”
UEFA’s captains-only rule to feature in the Premier League
While the decision to entrust Zwayer to preside over the Europa League final has sparked much conversation, it is not the only refereeing announcement that has dropped recently.
Indeed, from next season, it was announced (15 May) that the Premier League would be adopting the captains-only rule that has been tried and tested in three UEFA competitions.
While this, like the appointment of Zwayer, was met with mixed opinions, once again, these refereeing decisions have given rise to the need for a larger conversation.
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