Jude Bellingham could be suspended for his verbal attack on referee Felix Zwayer after Dortmund’s defeat to Bayern, with the German football committee examining the star’s comments on the official’s previous involvement in a 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 Football 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 was 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 came 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 criticized 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 Felix Zwayer’s involvement in a past match-fixing scandal
Bellingham referenced referee Felix Zwayer’s involvement in a past match-fixing scandal
Bild has reported a charge has also been filed against former German referee Manuel Grafe (above), who had criticised Zwayer in the past
Bild has reported a charge has also been filed against former German referee Manuel Grafe (above), who had criticised Zwayer in the past
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.
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 the media after the game and had to hold himself back from criticizing 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 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
Zwayer however defended his decisions when speaking to Sky Germany after the match.
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 leveling 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 holds a four-point lead over their rivals following their victory.
He’s match-fixed before… what do you expect! Jude Bellingham launches astonishing attack on the referee after Borussia Dortmund defeat
Jude Bellingham could be suspended for his attack on referee Felix Zwayer after Borussia Dortmund’s defeat to Bayern Munich…as the German football committee examines England star’s comments about the official’s previous involvement in a match-fixing scandal
