The Champions League semi-final second leg between Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Arsenal, to be held at the Parc des Princes, has drawn attention due to UEFA's appointment of German referee Felix Zwayer. The decision has sparked debate given Zwayer’s controversial past, including a previous ban for involvement in a match-fixing scandal.

Zwayer, a 43-year-old seasoned official with over 680 professional matches to his name, served a six-month ban in 2005 for his role in a match-fixing scandal involving fellow referee Robert Hoyzer. Allegedly, Zwayer accepted a €300 bribe while serving as an assistant referee under Hoyzer. Although he cooperated with the German Football Association (DFB) to expose the scandal, the details were not made public until a 2014 leak, leading to ongoing skepticism about his presence in high-profile matches.

Despite the controversy, Zwayer has officiated major games, including the Euro 2024 semi-final between England and the Netherlands. UEFA's choice to appoint him for this critical match has caused unease among many Arsenal fans. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta addressed the appointment with a measured tone, stating that the team always gets a report and an understanding of how the referee likes to manage the game to ensure the players are aware. He emphasized focusing on preparation and discipline rather than being distracted by outside controversy.

Zwayer is familiar with both Arsenal and PSG, having previously officiated Arsenal's 2-2 draw with CSKA Moscow in the 2018 Europa League, a 1-0 friendly win over Greece in 2020, and a Champions League match against PSV Eindhoven last season. He also officiated PSG's 7-2 win over Maccabi Haifa and a Champions League draw with Napoli in 2018. His officiating style is known to be strict and allows physical play, which could be a factor in the high-pressure match.

In other news for PSG, star forward Ousmane Dembele is expected to return from injury, providing a significant boost for the team ahead of the semi-final second leg against Arsenal.