England’s Jude Bellingham faces a disciplinary investigation over a potential breach of the “basic rules of decent conduct” during England’s win over Slovakia at Euro 2024.
It’s understood to relate to Bellingham gesturing with his hand near his crotch after scoring an overhead kick with just 80 seconds remaining to keep England’s hopes alive.
Harry Kane went on to score England’s winner in extra-time in a 2-1 win, setting up a quarter-final clash with Switzerland – a match Bellingham may now miss if UEFA charges him.
In a statement, UEFA said an “ethics and disciplinary inspector” will carry out an investigation “regarding a potential violation of the basic rules of decent conduct”.
“Information on this matter will be made available in due course,” the governing body added.
The Real Madrid star posted on X about the gesture in the hours after the match, describing his act as an “inside joke”.
“An inside joke gesture towards some close friends who were at the game,” he said. “Nothing but respect for how that Slovakia team played tonight.”
England joy tainted – but Ronaldo precedent may give hope to avoid ban
The investigation into Jude Bellingham will temper some of the joy at his Euros heroics in the England camp.
Just today at the training ground in eastern Germany, goalkeeper Jordan Pickford was hailing the Real Madrid star as England’s “golden boy”.
He isn’t a boy anymore – with his overhead kick equaliser against Slovakia coming a day after his 21st birthday.
And this potentially crude-looking goal celebration looked out of character for a player showing maturity on and off the pitch.
The fear will be a suspension for Saturday’s Euro 2024 quarterfinal against Switzerland.
But Bellingham will hope to avoid a ban from UEFA since Cristiano Ronaldo was only fined €20,000 (£16,900) by European football’s governing body for performing a similar gesture, deemed obscene, while playing for Juventus during a Champions League match in 2019.
There was also a swift move by Bellingham to insist it was not an attempt to insult Slovakia in an X post drawing greater attention to the incident by posting a link to the video.
And little wonder celebrations were so exuberant when England were facing an embarrassing defeat in the last 16 before Bellingham’s exquisite finish deep into the fifth minute of injury time.
Footage on social media appeared to show the 21-year-old looking over to the side of the pitch as he walked back with Kane to restart the match following his goal.
While making his way back, he touched his face and lowered his hand over his crotch area.
England will play Switzerland on Saturday, with two-goal Bellingham their joint top scorer of the tournament so far, along with Kane.
If he is suspended by UEFA, it would represent a huge blow to manager Gareth Southgate, who has struggled to strike a balance with his team selections.
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The midfielder has shone for Real Madrid and was just named the Spanish league’s player of the season in his first year with the current European champions.
Albania player Mirlind Daku was given a two-match ban after being found guilty of four breaches of UEFA disciplinary rules earlier in the tournament.
He had picked up a megaphone to lead his country’s fans in nationalistic chanting.
The Football Association was also been charged over a “lack of order or discipline” from supporters and over fans lighting fireworks during the Slovakia clash.