Harry Redknapp has shared a story about his son, Jamie, needing 24 stitches after a tough encounter with his nephew, Frank Lampard. The incident occurred during a match between Liverpool and West Ham, where Harry was the manager at the time.
A Family Affair Turns Sour on the Pitch
According to Harry Redknapp, the family feud ignited during a game between Liverpool and West Ham. Lampard was then a rising star at West Ham, while Jamie Redknapp was in the midst of his Liverpool career. The cousins faced each other twice at Anfield in 1999 across two different Premier League seasons, though Harry didn’t specify which match the incident took place in.
Harry Redknapp recounted the story to his campmates on I’m A Celebrity… South Africa, including ex-footballer Jimmy Bullard. He recalled his goalkeeping coach Les Sealey’s reaction after Jamie Redknapp challenged Frank Lampard. Sealey allegedly encouraged Lampard to retaliate, which left Harry feeling conflicted.
Lampard’s Revenge and Jamie’s Recollection
Harry Redknapp claimed Lampard eventually got his revenge later in the season, while at Chelsea. According to Harry, Jamie required 24 stitches after the incident. “Frank caught him with a beauty. They’re cousins, you know?”
Jamie Redknapp’s version of events differs slightly. He claims that both incidents happened in the 2000s, when Lampard was playing for Chelsea and Jamie was at Tottenham.
In a 2019 interview alongside his dad on Chelsea TV, Jamie Redknapp recalled a prior incident with Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink. He admitted to attempting to challenge Hasselbaink, but ended up catching Lampard instead. Jamie stated, “Went to go for him, left a bit on him, and it ended up being Frank. So, Frank wasn’t too happy with me and I remember the following year, we played at White Hart Lane and I know he didn’t mean it – well, he said he didn’t – he got me back. I got a nice 20 stitches on my lip… He definitely gave me one of them, you (Harry) know you that.”
No Lasting Bad Blood
Despite the on-field clashes, there is reportedly no lingering animosity between Jamie Redknapp and Frank Lampard. Since retiring, Lampard has pursued a career in management, recently managing Coventry City to promotion to the Premier League.
Lampard, 47, is following in his uncle’s footsteps as a manager.