For essentially the most half, Euro 2024 has been a stunning show of exhilarating soccer. After referee Felix Zwayer awarded Harry Kane an especially doubtful penalty on Wednesday, we are going to most likely not have the identical dialogue about England’s semifinal match with the Netherlands.
You see, Zwayer has a relatively unlucky historical past for somebody officiating one of many greatest video games in soccer. We’re speaking concerning the worst form of historical past for any sports activities referee. In 2005, Zwayer confessed to match-fixing by taking a bribe from one other official to favor a German home membership in a match.
He was appropriately banned from refereeing for six months however … he’s nonetheless working now. Oof.
After seeing Kane get a penalty shot from Zwayer for kicking a prayer ball within the air with Denzel Dumfries defending him, questions concerning the ref fixing the match will seemingly attain a fever pitch ought to England advance to the 2024 Euro Closing.
PENALTY FOR ENGLAND 🏴
After evaluation a penalty is awarded to England ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/xkmkgCq9fz
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 10, 2024
HARRY KANE MAKES THE PENALTY 🎯
England ranges the rating 🏴 pic.twitter.com/OnTSUA9YtG
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 10, 2024
Significantly, on what planet is any of that worthy of a penalty shot?
The reason is that Dumfries kicked Kane and impeded him from getting a top quality shot off. However the replay makes it fairly clear that Kane made extra of a strike at Dumfries and that Kane’s try seemed extra like a Hail Mary try than an apparent open crack on the purpose. Certain, it’s a bang-bang play, however in no simply universe ought to Kane have been in a position to get England on the board for this bizarre sequence.
This was the soccer equal of giving a receiver a go interference name on an uncatchable ball.
As for why somebody would possibly need to repair the match for England, effectively, they’re one of many match favorites!
Coming into this semifinal match, oddsmakers with BetMGM had England closely favored to no less than make the Closing this Sunday in Berlin.
You join the dots as to why there can be rightful considerations about match-fixing after seeing this questionable Kane penalty shot.
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