Referee criticised over match-fixing past by Bellingham gets England semi

A German referee once criticised over his match-fixing past by Jude Bellingham will officiate England's European Championship semi-final against the Netherlands on Wednesday.

Felix Zwayer, 43, will lead an all-German refereeing team.

In 2021, when Bellingham played for Borussia Dortmund, the England midfielder was fined 40,000 euros (£34,000) for referencing the official's previous ban for match fixing.

Zwayer was given a six-month ban in 2005 after he was investigated for taking a £250 bribe from official Robert Hoyzer.

Hoyzer was subsequently given a ban for life from football.

Bellingham's comments came after Dortmund lost 3-2 to Bayern Munich.

During the game, the referee did not give Dortmund a penalty but did award a spot-kick to their opponents.

Bellingham, who was 18 at the time, told streaming service Viaplay: "You give a referee that has match fixed before the biggest game in Germany. What do you expect?"

Bellingham has played a key role in England's 2024 Euros campaign.

He scored an equaliser in the final minute of normal time in their last-16 match against Slovakia and took a successful penalty in the team's shootout in the quarter-final against Switzerland.

Bellingham also scored against Serbia in the group stage.

The Football Association has declined to comment.