Borussia Dortmund back Jude Bellingham amid DFB investigation into comments on Felix Zwayer

Borussia Dortmund bosses Hans-Joachim Watzke and Michael Zorc have backed Jude Bellingham, who is under investigation from the DFB over his comments on referee Felix Zwayer after Saturday’s 3-2 defeat to Bayern Munich.

Referee Felix Zwayer played a crucial role in Bayern Munich’s 3-2 win over Borussia Dortmund on Saturday evening. He failed to give what looked like a clear penalty for Dortmund, and then awarded Bayern a dubious spot-kick that secured the win for them. His controversial decision making drew the anger of a lot of BVB players, as well as head coach Marco Rose.

Jude Bellingham was especially annoyed by some of the calls made by Zwayer. And he even questioned why a referee who was involved in a match fixing scandal in 2005 was allowed to officiate such a big game in an interview with Norwegian broadcast Viaplay after the game.

Bellingham’s comments led to a lot of debate, not only in Germany but all across the world. And the German Football Association (DFB) have now launched an investigation into the matter to decide whether or not the 18 year old deserves any punishment.

Borussia Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke and sporting director Michael Zorc were quick to give their backing to Bellingham. Both said on Sunday that all Bellingham did was describe facts that are well known to the public.

"“His statement is not wrong, even if he doesn’t have to say it,” Watzke told Kicker. “Jude didn’t offend anyone, but merely stated a fact. I can’t imagine that he will suffer any consequences as a result.”“I fully support the player, it was a highly emotional situation, he was very disappointed and only stated facts that are well known,” Zorc said. “He didn’t insult anyone. Of course, you can discuss whether he needed to say it that way, but maybe you should also have some understanding for an 18-year-old who feels deprived of the rewards of his work in a highly emotional situation – and rightly so.”"

It remains to be seen if the DFB will take any action against Bellingham. Football lawyer Christoph Schickhardt told Kicker on Sunday that he does not expect the Borussia Dortmund midfielder to receive any punishment for his comments.