REECE JAMES was spared from being sent off in Chelsea’s Champions League defeat to Dortmund… thanks to rival player Jude Bellingham.
The Chelsea star was already on a booking when Borussia Dortmund were awarded a free-kick in the second half.
GettyReece James could have been sent off for blocking a Borussia Dortmund free-kick[/caption]
GettyBut Bellingham stopped his side taking the free-kick[/caption]
PAWith the act sparing his countryman from being sent off and a second leg suspension[/caption]
Bellingham put in a strong display against the Blues
James then stood over the free-kick to block it from being taken swiftly.
If the ball had been kicked at James and blocked, he would have received a second yellow card and been sent off, meaning he would also be suspended for the second leg.
Fortunately for James, Bellingham stopped the free-kick from being hit at the Chelsea defender, sparing him as he halted the restart.
On commentary, Bellingham was praised for saving James from a red card.
Reacting to the act, one fan online said: “Jude Bellingham did a favour to Reece James. Could have made James get a red card.”
A second fan said: “Respect.”
Meanwhile, a third wrote: “Reece James is such a star player, Bellingham should of gotten his second yellow card smh (shake my head) .”
A fourth joked: “The bromance really is strong.”
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Despite Bellingham sparing his compatriot in that instance, the England midfielder did not spare the Blues from defeat at Signal Iduna Park.
Dortmund won 1-0 with the goal coming as Karim Adeyemi picked up the ball in his own half and carried it the full length of the pitch before rounding Kepa Arrizabalaga and slotting the ball into the net.
The Blues pressed for an equaliser and had the ball cleared off the line late in the second half, but were ultimately unable to find their shooting boots.
Chelsea owner Todd Boehly will reportedly move “heaven and earth” to land Bellingham in the summer and the 19-year-old’s good sportsmanship will not hinder that opinion one bit.