- UEFA investigates Jude Bellingham’s sexual gesture on Sunday
- The England star was quick to point out that the gesture was not directed at Slovakia.
- Listen to It’s all just beginning! EUROS DAILYWhy does England seem “miserable” and as if it is divided into “two factions”?
Jude Bellingham will maintain that he had no intention of offending anyone with the gesture that got him into trouble with UEFA.
European football’s governing body has launched an investigation into the gesture during the victory over Slovakia in which he pretended to grab his genitals.
UEFA has written to Bellingham asking him to explain his actions and the England star has three days to respond.
The governing body will also write to the Slovak Football Association to ask for its views on the alleged infringement.
The gesture is believed to have been made towards the Slovak bench.
Jude Bellingham is keen to maintain he did not intend to offend anyone with a sexual gesture during England’s win over Slovakia
And Bellingham is understood to stand by his claims the gesture was an “inside joke”.
After the game, when images of the gesture surfaced, Bellingham tweeted: ‘An inside joke gesture towards some close friends who were at the game.
“I have nothing but respect for the way the Slovak team played tonight.”
Bellingham had scored a sensational overhead kick to equalise for England and send the match into extra time.
The England star took to X (formerly Twitter) to explain the gesture, saying it was an “inside joke towards some close friends who were at the game.”
There is no timetable for when the investigation will be completed.
If convicted, Bellingham could theoretically face a ban, but that scenario is considered unlikely.