Jobe Bellingham’s straight red card in Sunday’s Bundesliga draw with Freiburg will cost the Borussia Dortmund professional two league fixtures. The German FA confirmed that Bellingham’s tackle on Freiburg’s Philipp Treu just outside the penalty area – a denial of a clear goal-scoring opportunity – merit a two-match-ban. Bellingham will thus miss not only next weekend’s crucial fixture against Borussia Mönchengladbach, but also the 2026 calendar year opener against Eintracht Frankfurt.
With regard to the disappointing end to 2025, BVB keeper Gregor Kobel has ultimately taken responsibility for Bellingham’s straight red. Kobel admitted that he put Bellingham in a bad position with a risky pass out of the back. The English youngster’s tactical foul on Treu was the result of Kobel’s action.
“In the end, I have to make sure I play a better pass,” Kobel told German broadcaster DAZN. “It’s a shame for him that he’l be suspended now. I take responsibility for that, I have to play the ball better. Misunderstandings happen in football unfortunately.“
