Dortmund have reinforced their rule barring agents and family members from the dressing room. The ban is as a result of reports of a confrontation involving Jobe Bellingham’s father, Mark, and sporting director Sebastian Kehl.
According to Bild and Sky Germany, Mark Bellingham confronted Kehl in the tunnel following Dortmund’s 3-3 draw at St Pauli on Saturday. The dispute came after Jobe was substituted at half-time during his Bundesliga debut.
Sky Germany described the exchange as a “lengthy and emotional discussion.” Dortmund, who had led 3-1 with just five minutes left, collapsed after Filippo Mane’s red card, conceding twice late on to drop points in their league opener.
Kehl, speaking to Bild, stopped short of directly referencing the incident but made the club’s stance clear:
“We are all disappointed with yesterday’s result. And yet, the active area is and remains reserved for players, coaches and management, not families and advisors. That won’t happen again. We have clearly informed everyone involved of this.”
Jobe, 19, joined Dortmund from Sunderland this summer and is viewed as one of England’s brightest prospects. His older brother Jude made the same move to Dortmund in 2020 before sealing a €100m switch to Real Madrid in 2023.
