UEFA have confirmed that controversial German referee Felix Zwayer will officiate the Europa League final between Manchester United and Tottenham.
The showpiece event will take place in Bilbao on May 21, with both Premier League clubs looking to salvage their disappointing seasons.
Victory would not only secure silverware but also guarantee a place in next season's Champions League.
The appointment of Zwayer, 43, comes despite his controversial past in the sport.
Felix Zwayer will be in charge in Bilbao
Reuters
Both English sides currently sit in precarious positions in the Premier League table, making the final in Spain a crucial opportunity to end their campaigns on a high note.
The Berlin-born official brings vast experience to the fixture, having overseen more than 685 professional matches throughout his career.
Zwayer was most recently in action during Arsenal's Champions League semi-final second leg defeat against Paris Saint-Germain last week.
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His high-profile appointments also include England's Euro 2024 semi-final victory over the Netherlands last summer.
In that match, he was the man in the middle when Ollie Watkins scored a dramatic late winner for the Three Lions.
Despite his continued selection for elite fixtures, Zwayer remains a contentious figure in football circles due to past controversies.
Tottenham training hard in hopes of salvaging their season
Reuters
The controversy surrounding Zwayer stems from a 2005 incident that resulted in a six-month ban from the German FA.
He was sanctioned for allegedly accepting a 300 euro (£253.82) bribe from a fellow referee who was fixing a match.
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Despite this chequered past, Zwayer has continued to rise through the refereeing ranks and is now entrusted with major European fixtures.
His appointment to the all-English final comes at a time when both Manchester United and Tottenham are desperate for success.
Ruben Amorim desperately needs to get a trophy this year
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The decision by UEFA to select Zwayer for such a high-stakes encounter may raise eyebrows given his historical disciplinary issues.
