Liverpool legend claims Jude Bellingham ban could be 'blessing' for England | OneFootball

Former Liverpool midfielder Dietmar Hamann believes Jude Bellingham's potential suspension for his celebration during England's 2-1 win over Slovakia at Euro 2024 could actually be a "blessing" for the Three Lions.

Bellingham, as he so often does, became the man of the hour in Gelsenkirchen on Sunday, scoring a sublime bicycle kick that propelled the Three Lions into extra-time, where they emerged victorious thanks to a header from Harry Kane.

This week, UEFA launched an investigation following allegations that the 21-year-old made a crude gesture toward the Slovakia bench after his goal. Bellingham has insisted he was not disrespecting anybody and was instead referring to an inside joke with some friends in the stadium.

Currently, a ban on Bellingham seems unlikely. However, Hamann believes such a sanction could be a good things for England. The German, who played for Liverpool from 1999 to 2006, had previously advocated for the Real Madrid star to be dropped.

Speaking to newspaper BILD, Hamann said: "Gareth Southgate should have made the decision earlier to take out Bellingham or Phil Foden.

"Now he may be forced to be lucky if Bellingham is suspended. If he has to sit out, that might even be a blessing. That might even help the team. Something has to happen.

Hamann has spoken out against Bellingham / Boris Streubel/GettyImages

"I don't like his behaviour. There was his statement two-and-a-half years ago in Dortmund about referee Felix Zwayer, where he got away with a fine, but in my opinion, should have been banned.

"Without your teammates you are nothing - and if he then stands up and says that, then I would be interested to hear what his teammates say. Apart from his goals, he was not seen in the first four games.

"I would wait and see where he is in two or three years. We don't need to talk about the fact that he is a talented player, but some things have happened that you shouldn't do."

Bellingham's criticism of match official Zwayer came after Borussia Dortmund lost 3-2 to Bayern Munich in December 2021.

"You give a referee that has match-fixed before the biggest game in Germany, what do you expect?", said Bellingham at the time. He was subsequently fined £34,000 (€40,000).