Exclusive: Villa ref, Felix Zwayer, should not be allowed on a football pitch – ever

Last night’s Europa Conference League semi-final second-leg tie between Olympiacos and Aston Villa was officiated by 42-year-old Felix Zwayer.

It was a controversial choice by UEFA as back in 2005, Zwayer was involved in a match-fixing scandal in German football.

He came forward to ‘whistle blow’ on his colleagues who all received lifetime bans as a result. Zwayer served a six-month ban of his own before being allowed to take up refereeing again as if nothing had happened.

It’s a decision that has riled Stan Collymore.

Collymore doesn’t want Felix Zwayer anywhere near a football pitch

“By the time this column reaches you, Aston Villa will or won’t be in a European Final,” he said to CaughtOffside for his exclusive column.

“For me as a fan since 1977, who’s seen my club win the European Cup, the Conference League would be a nice trophy to win, and especially so for the younger Villains more used to Championship rather than Champions League.

“I’ll have flown to Athens and back in a day to see my team play in a fine stadium in one of the world’s great cities, facing a club with a storied history in Greek football.

“All set for fairness, the sporting ethos of the ancient Greeks and the best team wins over two games, right? You’d hope so.

“My problem is with the referee, Felix Zwayer.

“In 2005 he came forward as a whistle-blower in a German football corruption case and served a six-month ban (the others had life bans) for accepting a bribe. The six months would have been a life ban if he hadn’t come forward.

“Although I’m living proof of redemption after wrongdoing, there is a huge difference between me writing this column, or appearing on radio or TV with an opinion, as opposed to a man found guilty of involvement in changing game