Borussia Dortmund have moved to ban family members from the players’ dressing-room area after an incident involving Jobe Bellingham’s parents during Saturday’s Bundesliga season opener at FC St. Pauli.
The 19-year-old midfielder, making his German top-flight debut following a £32m move from Sunderland this summer, was substituted at half-time by coach Niko Kovac with Dortmund leading 2-1.
The visitors extended their lead to 3-1, but collapsed in the closing minutes to draw 3-3.
According to Sky Sports Germany, Jobe’s father, Mark — who also acts as his son’s advisor — confronted the club’s sporting director Sebastian Kehl in the tunnel after the match, expressing frustration at both the substitution and Dortmund’s late collapse.
It was widely reported that Mark also sought out Kovac to make his feelings known, with some Dortmund players noticing how emotional he appeared.
Club managing director Lars Ricken sought to downplay the row but confirmed changes would be made to prevent a repeat.
“We got Jobe Bellingham because we really built a relationship of trust with the parents over the years. The family flew in for his first Bundesliga game and wanted to meet him afterwards,” Ricken told Sky90 – The Football Debate.
“They stood in the hallway to the locker room and had an emotional conversation with Sebastian, which was not a problem given this relationship. But in the future we will ensure only players, coaches and officials have access to the locker-room area.”
Ricken added that “everything has been resolved – no drama.”
Jobe, who wears the No. 7 shirt previously made iconic by his brother Jude Bellingham at Dortmund, has already featured at the FIFA Club World Cup and in the German Cup win over Rot-Weiss Essen.
Saturday’s clash in Hamburg, however, was his first Bundesliga appearance, cut short after 45 minutes.
Despite comparisons with his elder sibling — now starring at Real Madrid — Jobe has insisted his move to Germany was about forging his own path.
He joined Dortmund in June on a five-year deal after helping Sunderland secure promotion from the Championship, with his transfer setting a new record sale for the Wearside club.
Niko Kovac admitted after the match that Dortmund had thrown away two points, saying: “When you lead 3-1, then you cannot play a 3-3 even against this very good St. Pauli team.”
Dortmund will now look to regroup, while ensuring that future family interactions take place well away from the dressing-room environment.