Zwayer seeks personal apology from Bellingham after match-fixing remarks
Felix Zwayer has described Jude Bellingham's criticism as "personal, disparaging and disrespectful".
Referee Felix Zwayer has asked Borussia Dortmund for a personal apology from Jude Bellingham after being criticized by the midfielder in the wake of last week's 'Der Klassiker'.
Bellingham has been given a fine of €40,000 by The German Football Association for "unsporting behavior" after he blasted Zwayer in an interview with Viaplay after the game.
"You give a referee that has match fixed before the biggest game in Germany, what do you expect?," said Bellingham, referring to the fact that Zwayer was banned for six months after being involved in a match-fixing scandal in 2005.
Zwayer has now reacted to Bellingham's comments, telling Bild:
"I would prefer to clarify this in a personal conversation with Jude Bellingham and have offered such a personal conversation to Borussia Dortmund.
"For me, it's not about punishment, but about the realization that he went too far. I would accept a sincere apology.
"The statement deliberately creates the false impression that I did not referee the match to the best of my ability. It is personal, disparaging and disrespectful. Even if you put yourself in the subjective perspective, which is marked by emotion, his statement is far from professional or factual."