UEFA 'make decision' on Jude Bellingham ban after crude gesture in England win

Bellingham made the gesture in England’s win over Slovakia.

UEFA’s likely decision over Jude Bellingham’s potential Euro 2024 has been revealed in a new report.

Bellingham, 21, is under investigation from European football’s governing body for a crude gesture he made after scoring in England’s round of 16 win over Slovakia.

After equalising with an overhead kick in the fifth minute of injury time, Bellingham gestured towards his crotch.

 

Some on social media suggested the Real Madrid star had directed the gesture at the Slovakian bench.

But after the 2-1 victory for England, Bellingham insisted it was inside joke with friends watching in the stands.

“Nothing but respect for how that Slovakia team played tonight,” he added on X.

UEFA launched an investigation into the matter, sending a letter to Bellingham and England seeking an explanation.

 

It is understood that Bellingham planned to stand by his initial explanation that his gesture was an in-joke.

The investigation has raised fears Bellingham could be suspended for Saturday’s quarter-final against Switzerland in Dusseldorf.

But a new report claims Bellingham is set to escape a ban.

Bild (via the Daily Mail) claim Bellingham is set to avoid a suspension and is likely to be handed a five-figure fine instead.

 

UEFA’s ‘expected decision’ on Jude Bellingham ban revealed after crude gesture in England win (an)

 

 

Bellingham performed a similar gesture after scoring a last-minute winner for Real Madrid against Barcelona last season.

On that occasion, he did not face an investigation over his behaviour.

Bild also point out that Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez made a similar crude gesture during his penalty shootout heroics in the 2022 World Cup final in Qatar and escaped with a fine.

Bellingham is not the only player under investigation for making a gesture at Euro 2024.

 

Turkey star Merih Demiral is being probed after performing a ‘Wolf’s Salute’, a gesture associated with the Grey Wolves – a far-right extremist group, during Turkey’s round of 16 win over Austria on Tuesday night.