Didi Hamann insists potential Jude Bellingham ban for his x-rated gesture would be a ‘BLESSING’ as Liverpool cult hero criticises the England star’s behaviour – including his ‘who else’ celebration’ – ahead of final UEFA decision
Dietmar Hamann has claimed a potential suspension for Jude Bellingham, following his over-the-top gesture after England’s dramatic win over Slovakia, would be a ‘blessing for Gareth Southgate’.
The 21-year-old midfielder, who scored the equaliser in the 95th minute of England’s round of 16 clash with Slovakia on Sunday with an overhead kick, is currently being investigated by UEFA after he claims he grabbed his genitals while celebrating his goal.
Mail Sport reported on Tuesday that UEFA had written to the Real Madrid midfielder asking for an explanation for the move. The England forward was given three days to respond. The Real Madrid star had previously stated on X (formerly Twitter) that the gesture was “an internal joke aimed at some close friends who were at the game.”
Despite his heroics, concerns have been raised over the England star’s performance at Euro 2024. Some, including Hamann, claim Bellingham has not reached the level expected of the Real Madrid star and should be dropped, along with Phil Foden and Harry Kane.
If found guilty, Bellingham could be suspended for his actions. However, no timeline has been set for the investigation to be completed. England play Switzerland in the decisive quarter-final on Saturday.
However, 50-year-old former Germany international Hamann has insisted that if Bellingham is suspended it could be a “blessing” for England manager Gareth Southgate, who has come under fire recently for his team selections.
“Gareth Southgate should have made the decision earlier to take Bellingham or Phil Foden,” he told BILD.
“Now he may be forced to be lucky if Bellingham gets suspended. If he has to sit out, that may even be a blessing. That may even help the team. Something has to be done.”
The former defensive midfielder, who played 59 caps for Germany, also criticised Bellingham’s behaviour.
After scoring his sensational bicycle kick, the England star shouted “Who else?” at the fans in the stadium. The former Liverpool and Bayern Munich star did not appreciate the celebration.
“I don’t like his behavior,” Hamann said. “There was a comment about referee Felix Zwayer in Dortmund two and a half years ago, where he got away with a fine, but in my opinion he should have been suspended.”
In December 2021, Bellingham criticised Zwayer after Borussia Dortmund lost 3-2 to Bayern Munich. The former Dortmund star said: ‘You give a referee who has postponed games for the biggest game in Germany. What do you expect?’
Hamann added, of Bellingham’s ‘Who else?’ celebration: ‘Without your colleagues you are nothing – and when he stands up and says that, I would like to hear what his team-mates say. Apart from his goals, he was not seen in the first four games.
“I would wait and see where he is in 2 or 3 years. We don’t have to talk about him being a talented player, but things have happened that you shouldn’t do.”
Following England’s 2-1 win over Slovakia, with Harry Kane scoring the winning goal in first-half injury time, Bellingham gave an insight into the reasoning behind his ‘Who else?’ celebration, explaining that it was due to ‘the adrenaline rush’ he felt after that sensational bicycle kick.
“It’s a feeling like no other,” Bellingham said at a post-match press conference. “In international football, in knockout football, it’s an even worse feeling because you’re 30 seconds away from home, and you have to listen to all this nonsense, and you feel like you’ve let a nation down.
‘One kick at the ball can change everything. That’s a feeling I don’t like, but once it happens, it feels great.’
More to follow…