Kaizer Chiefs FC ex-coach John Paintsil was involved in a heated exchange with England star Jude Bellingham during the Ghana vs England World Cup match on 24 June 2026. The incident occurred when Bellingham made a tackle on Ghana player Jerome Opoku, prompting an immediate reaction from the Black Stars bench.

What happened?

The former Kaizer Chiefs FC assistant coach was caught on camera telling Bellingham to "F*** off, man" as he was being pulled away from the situation by his teammates.

Why it matters for Kaizer Chiefs FC

The incident has sparked controversy over the potential uneven application of the so-called 'Vinicius Law' in the tournament. | Stat | Value | | Date | 24 June 2026 | | Match | Ghana vs England |

What comes next?

Ghana coach Carlos Queiroz confirmed that Bellingham used offensive language and reacted badly to the tackle on Jerome Opoku. The Ghanaian coach alleged that Bellingham used obscene language during the verbal sparring. Queiroz played down the severity of the bust-up, saying there had only been "a small verbal spark" before tempers cooled.

The controversy extends beyond the verbal clash, with Paraguay considering filing a formal complaint with FIFA over a possible uneven application of the so-called 'Vinicius Law'. This comes after Miguel Almirón was sent off days earlier for a similar action.