UEFA has officially confirmed that German referee Felix Zwayer will take charge of the highly anticipated Europa League final between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur on May 21 in Bilbao.
The appointment marks Zwayer's first European club final as a referee, though the 43-year-old has previously officiated several high-profile matches including the 2023 Nations League final, England's Euro 2024 semi-final victory over the Netherlands, and Paris Saint-Germain's Champions League semi-final second-leg win against Arsenal.
Zwayer's appointment comes with some controversy, as he was suspended for six months by the German Football Association nearly two decades ago for accepting a £250 bribe. At that time, he was working as an assistant to Robert Hoyzer, who received a lifetime ban for his involvement in a match-fixing scandal in 2004.
The German referee made headlines in 2021 when then-Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham criticized his appointment to officiate a match against Bayern Munich, citing Zwayer's past involvement in match-fixing. Bellingham was subsequently fined £34,000 for his comments.
The all-English Europa League final between Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur promises to be a thrilling encounter as both Premier League sides vie for European glory and a place in next season's Champions League.
