Forum Topic

Euro semi final, Weds 10th July-    ENGLAND v HOLLAND

In the Times today I was astonished to read the appointed referee is to be German born Felix Zwayer.He once accepted a $300 bribe as part of a scandal in Germany, and served a six month ban for his sin. Jude Bellingham, no less, has accused him of being corrupt.I would have thought that UEFA choose a man with integrity for such an important fixture.Incredible.

Denis Ian Fox ● 231d30 Comments

I didn't think it was a penalty at the time and Christina Unkel (who is an excellent addition to coverage) agreed. However, there is no doubt that the challenge on Harry Kane could have seriously injured him and, if the decision is down to a different interpretation of the rules by the Germans, they probably have it right.

Mark Evans ● 227d

The notion that England always get major decisions against them in major tournaments is a strange one. You may not be old enough to remember 2002 but most people would agree Pochettino didn't foul Owen who was looking for contact.The penalty against Columbia in 2018 was also very dubious as was the one against Denmark in the semi-finals of the last Euros.There is no conspiracy against England and every blinkered fan from every country who only watches matches during these tournaments thinks their country gets a raw deal. The reality is that the referees are the best in the business and are incredibly heavily scrutinised. There is an issue with the England penalty last night which arises from a different interpretation of the laws in the Bundesliga and the Premier League which shouldn't really be happening.

Francis Rowe ● 228d

Come on Chiswick, get your flags out this weekend!

Emma Elizabeth ● 228d

True, it was never a penalty, but refereeing clangers are common place, and as you say the luck went our way for a change.I never understand why VAR decisions are not viewed in real time. Slow motion gives no indication of speed and force of contact. And don't get me started on the number of penalties given for handballs.Time to feel good about ourselves, and maybe cigars and champagne Sunday night?

Denis Ian Fox ● 228d

YouR fears about the referee were unfounded,Denis.He was quite even handed,we even got the rub of the green with the penalty,the first time I can remember a crucial decision going England's way in a tournament since 1966.

Keith Iddon ● 228d

Here's hoping it carries on ....Best England performance in the footy so far

Andrew Jones ● 228d

Lords Test, 1st day's play-West Indies 121 all outEngland    189-3And the soccer boys did all right in Dortmund.Netherlands 1 England 2

Denis Ian Fox ● 228d

Yes he seems really upset 

Paul Campbell ● 228d

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 reach the final. Sadiq Khan 💩 must be well pi**ed off.. 😁🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

Michael Brown ● 228d

You obviously don't read the Express, Denis: https://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/1914665/nigel-farage-london-euros-england

Robert Fish ● 229d

I believe Mr Farage has had other concerns on his mind of late, none concerning cabs and flags.Do me a favour and stop being so presumptuous in future Mr Parkinson.

Denis Ian Fox ● 229d

My dislike of Khan has little to do with flags,more to do with how he governs.

Keith Iddon ● 230d

Is there any significance in the fact that a "leftie" mayor, of Pakistani descent, keeps on being unfairly blamed for the prohibition on flying flags on taxis?

Robert Fish ● 230d

Maybe people in W4 are superstitious and don't want to tempt fate by putting up a flag at this late stage!I had no idea that Bukayo Saka was born in Ealing and attended schools in the area.

Andrew Jones ● 230d

With you all the way,Georgina.My flag flies proudly in my front window for however long we last in the tournament.Khan can go away in jerky movements as far as I am concerned.

Keith Iddon ● 230d

Goodness me. Ridiculous. That's the point. If No10 has the flags out, why doesn't W4? We have some England players with Local connections (Toney / Brentford and Saka / Ealing). Come on boys!

Emma Elizabeth ● 230d

The railings immediately outside 10 Downing Street are currently festooned with St George's flags

Andrew Jones ● 230d

"Sadiq Khan's TFL bosses have banned cabbies from flying the England flag showing support for their country. They have been threatened of losing their licence if they defy this command.You can stick up a Palestine flag, LGBTIQ flag, Advertising banner, etc anywhere, anytime, but not an England flag."The ban applies to all flags and is similar to other restrictions instituted by taxi licensing authorities across the country for passenger safety. Would you do us the favour of checking anything Nigel Farage tells you before posting it here?

Jeremy Parkinson ● 230d

Think you are correct.

Janice Evans ● 230d

I suspect that any restrictions on flying flags from cars or from London cabs apply to any kind of flag, so aren’t specifically ‘a woke ban on English flags during Euros’.

Peter Evans ● 230d

I’ll stick my flag wherever I want! Khan can F off. He’s the racist one. Not me!

Georgina Flint ● 230d

Good to see somebody on the forum who understands what the term “dog whistle” actually means. And also well done for calling out a good example of it.

Paul Campbell ● 230d

Mark, Felix Zwayer has arbitrated in four games during this  current Euro competition, three as referee and one stint in the bunker room (VAR). Nevertheless, he still carries the baggage from past misdemeanors.Sadiq Khan's TFL bosses have banned cabbies from flying the England flag showing support for their country. They have been threatened of losing their licence if they defy this command.You can stick up a Palestine flag, LGBTIQ flag, Advertising banner, etc anywhere, anytime, but not an England flag.This is Wokery at bay.I

Denis Ian Fox ● 230d

I’ve got my flags up 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

Georgina Flint ● 230d

Gosh — sorry if my comment shocked you. But untrue dog whistle comments like this are quite shocking too.... "Sadiq is smarter than he looks. Or perhaps more cunning. He has encouraged immigration - legal and other - so Brits are now the minority in London - the mayor knows he gets the majority of votes from the new majority - end result is a mess IMO."

Julie Canterbury ● 230d

Gosh. I was only asking before I put my flag up for the semi final game - didn't want to be the only one in my road!

Emma Elizabeth ● 230d

Prohibition of flags on cars was introduced in 2012 by the government of the time. Taxis are under the auspices of TfL, not the mayor. Just a couple of facts to temper the rampant toxicity on this forum.

Julie Canterbury ● 230d

Why aren't there any St George's flags out in Chiswick? Has Sadiq's taxi ban transferred to London homes now? Usually the flags are flying for the Euros and World Cups! Or is W4 just too posh?

Emma Elizabeth ● 230d

He refereed the Romania game last week-not important enough?

Mark Frost ● 231d

A corrupt referee? Still hope for us then..

Michael Brown ● 231d