AFCON 2025
Jude Bellingham’s parent and other players’ families will o longer have access to the dugout or dressing room following an emotional exchange between Bellingham’s father and the Borussia Dortmund hierarchy on Saturday.
Mark and Denise Bellingham flew in to Germany to watch Jobe Bellingham’s Bundesliga debut away at St Pauli, but were left frustrated not just because of the disappointing result but also their son’s early substitution.
Jobe Bellingham made his Bundesliga debut away at St Pauli on Saturday afternoon but was taken off at a minute after the restart.
Bellingham’s substitution and Borussia Dortmund’s disappointing performance – surrendering a 3-1 lead with five minutes left on the clock didn’t go down well with Mark Bellingham.
Bellingham’s parents reportedly had an emotional exchange with Dortmund sporting director Sebastian Kehl after the match
He reportedly sought a meeting with Borussia Dortmund’s coach, Niko Kovac, as he tried to express his disappointment.
Dortmund’s managing director, Lars Ricken, after the match, played through the severity of the chat between Bellingham’s father and Kehl, but confirmed that families will no longer be allowed into that area again.
We got Jobe Bellingham because we really built a relationship of trust with the parents over the years. Now the family flew in especially for their son’s first Bundesliga game and wanted to meet Jobe after the game,’ Ricken told Sky90 – The Football Debate.
‘They stood in the hallway to the locker room and had an emotional conversation with Sebastian, which, however, is not a problem at all given this relationship.
‘In the future, though, we will ensure that players, coaches, and any officials have access to the locker room area, so that we no longer get into trouble by commenting on such news.
‘But today everything has been resolved – no drama.’
Borrusia Dortmund led 3-1 till the 85th minute but squandered their lead after Fillipo Mane received a red card.
The home side took advantage of the numerical advantage and scored twice in three minutes to level the scoreline.
