W/Cup: Bellingham Slaps Argentina Player As Romero Labels Neville ‘Stupid’

Jude Bellingham slapped Argentina substitute Valentin Barco on the back of the head following England’s 2-1 World Cup semi-final defeat, in an incident that could see the England midfielder face action from FIFA’s disciplinary committee.

The first half of Wednesday’s match in Atlanta was feisty, with 19 fouls recorded as American referee Ismail Elfath struggled to keep control.

Bellingham, who has scored six goals in the tournament, had a confrontation with Argentina captain Lionel Messi in the fourth minute after England midfielder Elliot Anderson had been fouled.

“We were really just discussing a foul, actually,” Bellingham is reported to have said after the match.

“It wasn’t anything bad. I’m sure everyone will do their thing and make it a big deal, but it was nothing.”

England had taken an early second-half lead through Anthony Gordon’s goal, before Enzo Fernández equalised for Argentina in the 85th minute and Lautaro Martínez headed the winner in the second minute of stoppage time, ending England’s hopes of reaching the final.

Barco, who did not play in the game, came onto the pitch at full-time and was hugging team-mates near Bellingham when the England midfielder walked over and slapped him.

It sparked a small melee as players from both sides got involved before Bellingham walked away. It is not known what prompted the reaction, but footage showed Barco running onto the pitch after Fernández’s equaliser and celebrating in front of the England players.

Former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson, commentating on the match for BBC Radio 5 Live, described Barco’s actions as “probably the worst example of sportsmanship we’ve seen at this World Cup.”

Bellingham could face suspension for Saturday’s bronze medal match against France in Miami (kick-off 22:00 BST) if found guilty of violent conduct.

However, FIFA is more likely to consider the act as petulant rather than violent, as the laws of the game state there is no red-card offence if a player deliberately strikes an opponent on the head and the force used is negligible.

Barco, 21, who plays for French side Strasbourg and previously had a spell at Brighton, is expected to join Chelsea.

He has featured once at the tournament as a second-half substitute in a 3-1 group win against Jordan.

Elsewhere, Argentina defender Cristian Romero has said Gary Neville was “stupid” to criticise his centre-back partnership with Lisandro Martínez.

In the build-up to Argentina’s semi-final win over England, former Manchester United full-back Neville, commenting on the Overlap Podcast, described Romero and Martínez as “the best, worst centre-half pairing in the world”.

“They seem to give a goal away between them every single game,” Neville said.

“But you watch them, they are scoring goals, heading the ball, they’re literally everywhere – it’s incredible.

“I call them the best, worst centre-half pairing in the world. Because they absolutely at times can be unbelievable, but the next, it’s the sublime to the ridiculous.”

Both Romero and Martínez were booked in Wednesday’s match but also played a significant part in limiting England to just two shots on target as Argentina came from behind to win with late goals.

The pair, both 28, have started all but one of Argentina’s World Cup games this summer, helping Lionel Scaloni’s side reach their second successive World Cup final.

They have kept two clean sheets in the six World Cup games they have started together, with the team conceding six goals in those matches.

Responding to Neville’s comments, Romero told DSports, “The only thing that I hope for is that when I retire, I am not that stupid.

“Hopefully I won’t criticise a player or anyone. Because at the end of the day, we are doing our best for our national team.

“Sometimes it goes right for us, sometimes badly, but we are just happy to be in a World Cup final again.

“I think we are making history, for us it is something really huge, and we feel the significance of this shirt like no-one else.”

Martínez also responded to the criticism, saying, “We’re used to people always talking about us. It seems like they like doing it, and we respond on the pitch, that’s it, always with respect.”

Argentina face Spain in Sunday’s World Cup final as they look to win the tournament for a fourth time, while England take on France in Saturday’s third-place match.