0
0
UEFA Support for Match Official Amidst Accusations
In a noteworthy display of confidence and endorsement, the contentious match official Stuart Attwell, who has been accused of bias by the English Premier League club Nottingham Forest, received backing from UEFA. This backing came in the form of his selection to serve as a video review specialist at the upcoming European Championship.
Nottingham Forest sparked controversy with a social media post targeting Attwell on Sunday, alleging bias due to his alleged favoritism towards relegation rival Luton, which Forest claimed impacted critical decisions such as penalty kick appeals during their recent match against Everton. The post was met with widespread condemnation within the English soccer community, with one club even resorting to mocking Forest’s claims.
Despite the swirling controversy surrounding Attwell, UEFA’s decision to include him among the 20 video assistant referee (VAR) specialists for the Euro 2024 tournament in Germany, set to commence on June 14, serves as a testament to their confidence in his abilities. UEFA’s Head of Refereeing, Roberto Rosetti, emphasized the rigorous selection process, highlighting that all chosen referees have consistently demonstrated excellence in both UEFA competitions and their domestic leagues.
Other Notable Inclusions in the Euro 2024 Refereeing Team
Among the VAR specialists selected alongside Attwell is Tomasz Kwiatkowski of Poland, whose brief removal from a Champions League match last November stirred controversy following his contentious advice to award Paris Saint-Germain a late penalty against Newcastle. This decision, orchestrated by 2022 World Cup final referee Szymon Marciniak, ultimately impacted the match outcome.
Additionally, Marciniak himself, together with 18 other European referees, was chosen to officiate at Euro 2024. Joining them is Facundo Tello of Argentina, underscoring the collaborative relationship between UEFA and the South American soccer governing body CONMEBOL.
Notable omissions from UEFA’s selected officiating team for Euro 2024 include any women referees, marking a departure from previous tournaments such as Euro 2020, where Stéphanie Frappart of France made history as a fourth official. Nevertheless, the inclusion of two English referees, including Anthony Taylor who was involved in the contentious Everton-Forest match, illustrates the tournament’s diverse array of officiating talent.
One of the German referees appointed, Felix Zwayer, has previously faced scrutiny over his integrity, notably from England star Jude Bellingham during his tenure at Borussia Dortmund in 2021. Despite past controversies, UEFA’s selection of Zwayer signifies their unwavering commitment to upholding the highest standards of refereeing excellence at Euro 2024.
Image/Photo credit: source url
