Bellingham sanction would be ‘beneficial’ for England

England’s Euro 2024 campaign has been disrupted by Bellingham facing disciplinary action. The 21-year-old Real Madrid player, who scored a spectacular 95th-minute header against Slovakia, is under investigation by UEFA for an inappropriate gesture during his celebration. Bellingham pretended to grab his genitals, a gesture that led UEFA to demand an explanation. The governing body has given Bellingham three days to respond, with the midfielder previously describing the gesture as an “inside joke” aimed at friends at the game.

Despite his on-field exploits, Bellingham’s overall performance at Euro 2024 has attracted criticism. Former Germany international Dietmar Hamann has voiced his concerns, suggesting that Bellingham has not lived up to the expectations raised by his performances at Real Madrid. Hamann, who has made no secret of his opinion, believes that Bellingham, along with Phil Foden and Harry Kane, should be left out of the starting line-up and argues that a potential ban could unintentionally benefit Southgate.

A suspension or a blessing?

In an interview with BILD, Hamann said: ” Gareth Southgate should have made the decision earlier to take Bellingham or Phil Foden off. Now he may have to be lucky if Bellingham is suspended. If he has to stay on the bench, it might even be a blessing. It might even help the team. Something has to happen.”

Hamann also expressed his disapproval of the celebration that followed Bellingham’s equaliser, during which the young midfielder shouted “Who else?” to the crowd. He also pointed to other instances, including a controversial comment about referee Felix Zwayer during Bellingham’s time at Borussia Dortmund, suggesting a pattern of behaviour he considers unacceptable.

” I don’t like his behavior“, Hamann said. Two and a half years ago, in Dortmund, he made a statement about referee Felix Zwayer, who got away with a fine, but who, in my opinion, should have been banned. Without his colleagues, you are nothing – and if he stands up and says that, I would be curious to hear what his teammates have to say. Apart from his goals, we have not seen him in the first four games.

“I’ll wait and see where he is in two or three years. We don’t need to talk about the fact that he’s a talented player, but things have happened that we shouldn’t see.”