Jude Bellingham has escaped a ban but will pay €40,000 in fines to the German authorities for his match-fixing comments about Referee Felix Zwayer
German football authorities have fined Borussia Dortmund star Jude Bellingham to the tune of €40,000 [N18.5m] for his match-fixing comments against Referee Felix Zwayer. The German authorities have also written to the young midfielder, asking him to 'comment on his statements as soon as possible.'
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After Saturday's 'Der Klassiker' fixture between Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich, the English youngster referred to Zwayer's involvement in a match-fixing scandal in 2005.
Bellingham suggested that the referee should not be in charge of the biggest match in German football after a penalty was awarded against Mats Hummels for handling the ball in the area.
Following a criminal investigation into the matter, the German authorities have now fined the player but spared him a ban. The authorities put out an official statement that read thus:
"The sports court of the German Football Federation has not blocked Borussia Dortmund's young professional Jude Bellingham (18) for his TV statement about referee Felix Zwayer after the Bundesliga match between Borussia Dortmund and FC Bayern Munich last Saturday.
"Bellingham had reminded out of Zwayer's misconduct immediately after the whistle in the historical context, which had been punished by the DFB several years ago."
"The sports court considered Bellingham's statement to be "unsportsmanlike behaviour" and sentenced the English national player to a fine. Borussia Dortmund and the player accepted the verdict, Jude Bellingham is thus entitled to play in the Bundesliga match next Saturday at VfL Bochum," the statement explained.
Jude Bellingham provided both assists in the Bayern Munich game as the 'Yellow and Blacks' fell 3-2 at the Signal Iduna Park courtesy of a brace from Robert Lewandowski.
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