Jude Bellingham could be banned for slamming referee after Borussia Dortmund lost to Bayern Munich

Jude Bellingham could be suspended for his attack on referee Felix Zwayer after Borussia Dortmund’s defeat to Bayern Munich…as German football committee examines England star’s comments about official’s previous involvement in match-fixing scandal

  • The German FA are studying Jude Bellingham’s comments about referee Felix Zwayer after his Borussia Dortmund were beaten 3-2 by Bayern Munich 
  • German newspaper Bild said a referees’ observer had filed a criminal complaint against the midfielder 
  • Robert Lewandowski scored a contentious late winner from the penalty spot
  • Dortmund players and manager Marco Rose were furious with Zwayer’s decision
  • Bellingham brought up the referee’s involvement in a past match-fixing scandal  


Jude Bellingham could be facing a ban for his extraordinary comments about referee Felix Zwayer following Borussia Dortmund’s 3-2 defeat to Bayern Munich on Saturday.

Bellingham lashed out at Zwayer in an interview with Norwegian broadcaster  Viaplay Fotball after the game, bringing up the official’s involvement in a 2005 match-fixing scandal.  

‘You give a referee that has match-fixed before, the biggest game in Germany what do you expect?’ said the England midfielder. 

Bellingham appeared to be referring to Zwayer being banned for six months for accepting a €300 (£256) bribe from fellow referee Robert Hoyzer. He returned to refereeing after the German league were satisfied he had served his punishment and undergone a process of rehabilitation.

And according to German newspaper Bild, Bellingham could be about to be hit with a suspension for his comments, which game after a game in which Dortmund players were furious with the referee over a number of decisions.

Bild has reported that referee’s observer Marco Haase has filed a charge against Bellingham and former German referee Manuel Grafe, who had criticised Zwayer in the past for his involvement in the 2005 scandal.

Jude Bellingham hit out at referee Felix Zwayer after Borussia Dortmund's loss to Bayern Munich

Jude Bellingham hit out at referee Felix Zwayer after Borussia Dortmund’s loss to Bayern Munich

Bellingham referenced referee Zwayer's involvement in a past match-fixing scandal

Bellingham referenced referee Zwayer’s involvement in a past match-fixing scandal

Haase believes Grafe’s past statements about Zwayer had an influence on Bellingham.

Grafe had previously said: ‘Anyone who has ever accepted money and kept Hoyzer’s manipulation secret for six months should not be a professional football referee.’

Bild said Haase’s complaint against Bellingham and Grafe mentioned that the England international ‘could not have made this statement from life experience’ and must have been influenced by Grafe’s comments.

The chairman of the German football association’s disciplinary committee, Dr Anton Nachreiner, confirmed that the organisation was examining Bellingham’s comments and determining whether they represented a violation of sports law. 

Dortmund players were furious with a number of decisions given against them on the night

Dortmund players were furious with a number of decisions given against them on the night

Dortmund players’ ire came to a head when a penalty was awarded after Mats Hummels appeared to handle in the area when the scores were level at 2-2.

Robert Lewandowski made no mistake from the spot to put Bayern Munich ahead in the huge top of the table clash and they held out for the victory.

‘Well for me it wasn’t (a penalty) you know. He (Hummels) is not even looking at the ball and he’s fighting to get it,’ Bellingham added.

‘It hits him and I don’t even think he’s looking at the ball but you know you can look at a lot of the decisions in the game.’

Robert Lewandowski's penalty which sealed the victory was the talking point of the match

Robert Lewandowski’s penalty which sealed the victory was the talking point of the match

Erling Haaland also spoke to media after the game and had to hold himself back from criticising the referee more than he did.

The striker felt that Dortmund should have been awarded a penalty for a challenge on Marco Reus by Lucas Hernandez and said the referee was ‘arrogant’ in his response when the striker asked him why he didn’t check VAR. 

Haaland said: ‘I think it was a scandal when it comes to the referee.’

He added: ‘Clear penalty. I asked him why didn’t you go and look and he said ‘no  need’ like arrogant. I have to calm down a little bit now but yeah he was arrogant, I won’t say more.’

Dortmund's manager Marco Rose  took to the stands after he was sent off for dissent

Dortmund’s manager Marco Rose  took to the stands after he was sent off for dissent

Julian Brandt had given BVB the early lead before going off after a clash of heads. 

Lewandowski and Kingsley Coman turned the match around before half-time, with Haaland levelling matters just minutes after the restart.

Dortmund manager Marco Rose was sent off for dissent after his animated appeals on the touchline fell on deaf ears, as tempers threatened to boil over after Bayern were awarded their match-winning penalty.

Bayern Munich now hold a four point lead over their rivals following their victory.

source: dailymail.co.uk