- Jude Bellingham made an X gesture while celebrating against Slovakia
- UEFA has confirmed it will investigate the England star’s actions.
- Listen to It’s all starting! DAILY EUROS: Is Gareth Southgate’s LACK of ego a strength or a weakness for England?
Jude Bellingham will be investigated for a “possible breach of basic rules of decent conduct” after he made an apparently rude gesture following their dramatic draw against Slovakia last night.
UEFA has launched a disciplinary investigation amid allegations the England star directed his gesture towards the Slovakia bench in Gelsenkirchen.
The player himself was quick to point out on social media that the act was a joke aimed at close friends who were in the stands. “I have nothing but respect for how the Slovak team played tonight,” he added on X.
However, UEFA has announced that an inspector “will carry out a disciplinary investigation into a possible breach of the basic rules of decent conduct” by Bellingham “which allegedly occurred in the context of this match”.
They have also accused the FA of lack of order or discipline on the part of the fans and lighting fireworks.
Jude Bellingham (right) is under investigation for apparently making a sexual gesture during England’s dramatic 2-1 win over Slovakia in the Euro 2024 round of 16
The gesture came shortly after Bellingham scored a stunning goal against Slovakia.
Later, after Harry Kane scored the winning goal in extra time, Declan Rice became involved in a heated exchange with rival manager Francesco Calzona, which led to him being stopped by Aaron Ramsdale. Rice appeared to call the Italian, who had attempted to approach the officials, “a bald bastard.”
Expert lip reader Jeremy Freeman told Mail Sport that during the altercation, a furious Rice said: “Shut up you cunt, hey, shut up you bald bastard.”
Mail Sport understands UEFA has no plans to charge Rice.
UEFA also confirmed that “disciplinary proceedings” have been opened against the FA amid crowd problems at the match.
In a statement, they said: “Following review of the official match reports from ENG-SVK, disciplinary proceedings have been opened against the English Football Association for the lighting of fireworks and crowd disturbances. The CEDB will make a decision on this case in due course.”
Any kind of suspension would be a blow to Gareth Southgate and his England team, who have only scored four goals in four games at this summer’s European Championship (and Bellingham scored two of them).
England star Bellingham received the Man of the Match award in Gelsenkirchen
Cristiano Ronaldo was fined by UEFA for a similar gesture in 2019, but avoided a suspension
This is not the first time that such a gesture has been made by a private individual in football. Atlético de Madrid manager Diego Simeone apologised after a similar gesture in the Champions League in 2019, when his team beat Juventus.
His ‘cojones’ gesture was imitated by Cristiano Ronaldo in the second leg, when the Italian club made an incredible comeback to win 3-2 on aggregate.
However, the Portuguese star escaped the ban and was instead fined €20,000 for “inappropriate conduct” by UEFA.
Meanwhile, Slovakia coach Calzona later revealed what sparked his clash with England midfielder Rice, explaining that he wanted to complain about his inability to punish time-wasting tactics during extra time.
“Rice was supposed to go see the referees and leave,” Calzona said. “I had to talk to the referees and he wouldn’t leave.”
Rice was pushed by another member of the Slovakia coaching staff during the altercation
His England teammates then had to stop him in an attempt to calm the situation.
England already have a suspension problem as Marc Guehi will not be available for the next round clash after receiving a booking early in the match in Gelsenkirchen.
It was the Crystal Palace defender’s second yellow card of the tournament (having been booked in the 0-0 draw with Slovenia), meaning he will miss the July 6 clash.
With or without Bellingham, England will start Saturday’s quarter-final match against Switzerland as favourites, at least among the bookmakers.
However, the Three Lions will probably need to produce their best performance of the tournament so far to overcome an impressive team that eliminated Italy in the round of 16.
