BALLON D'OR

‘JUDE BELLINGHAM CREATED A SOCIAL MEDIA STIR ’

THE UGLY

Borussia Dortmund star Jude Bellingham created a social media stir with his post-match comments following his side’s 3-2 Der Klassiker defeat at home to rivals Bayern Munich. Bellingham and his Dortmund teammates were frustrated at full time as a string of late controversial refereeing decisions left them pointless and hindered their pursuit of the Bavarians in the Bundesliga title race. The England international was furious after the game, with referee Felix Zwayer the focus of his irritation on the night. Bellingham surprised reporters with his comments questioning Zwayer’s impartiality in such a big game based on his previous links to match fixing within German football. Zwayer was banned from o ciating games in 2005 after being embroiled in a match fixing scandal within Bundesliga 2, with the most infamous aspect of the incident including the 40-year-old Berliner accepting a paltry €300 bribe to cheat in a specific game. But despite Zwayer’s previous connections to the dark side of financial impropriety, Bellingham’s comments were deemed ‘unprofessional’ by the German Football Association (DFB), who fined him €40,000 for his remarks. The former Birmingham City midfielder accepted the charge of unsportsmanlike behaviour and fine with no response and Zwayer remains placed to continue as a leading Bundesliga referee. Dortmund coach Marco Rose has reportedly spoken to Bellingham about the incident, but neither he, nor the club, have criticised the 18-year-old for his behaviour, with significant sections of the Borussia Dortmund fan base supporting his stance on Zwayer. Bellingham has enjoyed a fine start to life in German football, following his 2020 move from the Blues, with a possible Premier League switch on the cards in 2022 with Liverpool, Manchester United and Manchester City all rumoured to be tacking him.

FAR LEFT: Jude Bellingham reacts during aBundesliga soccer match

ABOVE: England's Emile Smith Rowe (L) celebrates with teammate Jude Bellingham after scoring the 0-7 goal during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 World Cup group I qualifying soccer match San Marino vs England

TOP (OPPOSITE PAGE): Freiburg's head coach Christian Streich

BOTTOM (OPPOSITE PAGE): Greuther Furth players celebrate

BENJAMIN PAVARD KEEPING SECRETS

Speaking in an interview with L'Equipe, Benjamin Pavard has brushed o speculation about his Bayern München future. It has recently been claimed in German media that Bayern are looking for a new right-back, with those in charge reportedly not satisfied with Pavard's performances. The French international, however, is not concerned about what lies ahead of him.

KIMMICH REGRETTING IT

Bayern Munich star Joshua Kimmich appeared on German television Sunday to talk about his bout with COVID as well as his controversial decision not to get vaccinated. Kimmich revealed that he regretted not getting vaccinated sooner and even said that he made an appointment to get inoculated during his second quarantine period.

ONISIWO & MESSI SIMILAR

Mainz's Karim Onisiwo & Lionel Messi have scored only once from their first 35 shots this season, the worst conversion record in Europe's top 5 leagues.