Jude Bellingham has expressed his frustration with the decision to retake Chelsea’s penalty against Borussia Dortmund during their recent Champions League match. The midfielder claimed that the decision was a “joke” and suggested that it was only made due to Kai Havertz’s spot-kick technique.
The incident occurred in the second half of the match, after a sharp break saw Ben Chilwell given the room to cross. His ball struck the arm of Marius Wolf, and after a VAR review, ref Danyy Makkelie pointed to the spot. Havertz sent his first effort against the post after a stuttering run-up, but the spot kick was ordered to be retaken due to an encroachment by a Dortmund player who then cleared the ball. The German finally ended his seven-game goal drought to double the lead at the second time of asking by slotting into the corner he was aiming for previously.
However, Bellingham was left raging by the decision, which he claimed was unfair. Speaking to BT Sport after the match, he said: “I’ve not seen the incident back, from where I was it looked pretty close, I’m not sure what more you can do with the hands.” After watching the replay, he appeared to blame Havertz for using a stuttering run-up, saying: “It is a yard or two away. I am not too sure. I don’t want to get in trouble. That in itself was disappointing but the fact they had a retake is a joke.”
Bellingham went on to suggest that for every penalty with such a slow run-up, there is going to be encroachment by people running into the box by a yard or so, but that’s the game. “They’ve made the decision and we’ve had to live with it,” he said.
Despite Bellingham’s frustration, Chelsea went on to win the match 2-0 and progress to the quarter-finals of the Champions League. Raheem Sterling and Havertz netted either side of the break to fire the Blues to victory.
Chelsea had spurned a number of first-half chances prior to Sterling finally firing them ahead just before the break. Ben Chilwell broke down the left and cutback for Sterling, whose first attempt was an air shot but he recovered the ball and rifled it past Marco Reus and the ‘keeper for his first goal since New Year’s Day.
The Blues then made a flying start to the second half when, after a sharp break saw Chilwell given the room to cross, his ball struck the arm of Marius Wolf. After a VAR review ref Danyy Makkelie pointed to the spot. Havertz sent his first effort against the post after a stuttering run-up but the spot kick was ordered to be retaken due to an encroachment by a Dortmund player who then cleared the ball. And the German finally ended his seven-game goal drought to double the lead at the second time of asking by slotting into the corner he was aiming for previously.
Overall, it was a solid performance from Chelsea, who will be hoping to continue their good form as they progress further in the Champions League. However, Bellingham’s comments serve as a reminder that even in victory, there can be controversy and frustration.