Jude Bellingham discovers England ban fate after X-rated gesture in Euro 2024 win
Jude Bellingham had been charged by UEFA after appearing to make a gesture towards the Slovakian bench after scoring a wondergoal in England’s Last 16 game at Euro 2024
Jude Bellingham has been fined £25,000 and handed a one-match suspension, suspended for one year by UEFA for ’violating the basic rules of decent conduct’.
Bellingham scored a brilliant overhead kick in the 94th minute to equalise for the Three Lions in their Last 16 match against Slovakia. Gareth Southgate’s side would go on to win the game in extra-time to set up a quarter-final clash against Switzerland.
But as he celebrated, the midfielder appeared to cup his privates in the direction of the Slovakia bench. The Real Madrid star later claimed it was a joke aimed towards his close friends.
But UEFA quickly announced they had opened an investigation into the 21-year-old, writing to him and the FA for an explanation of his actions. The governing body has now announced that investigation has concluded and Bellingham has been punished.
UEFA said in a statement: "The UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body (CEDB) has taken the following decisions: UEFA EURO round of 16 match between England and Slovakia played on 3 July 2024 in Gelsenkirchen, Germany.
"Charges against English Football Association: Crowd disturbances, Art. 16(2)(h) DR; Lighting of fireworks, Art. 16(2)(c) DR.
"Charges against English Football Association player Jude Bellingham: Violating the basic rules of decent conduct, Art. 11(2)(b) DR.
"The CEDB has decided to fine the English Football Association €10,000 for crowd disturbances and €1,000 for lighting of fireworks.
"To fine the English Football Association player Jude Bellingham €30,000 and to suspend him for a total of one UEFA competition match for which he would be otherwise eligible for violating the basic rules of decent conduct. Said suspension is not immediately enforced and is subject to a probationary period of one (1) year, starting from the date of the present decision."
European football’s governing body acted quicker than expected to at least clear Bellingham to play in England’s last 16 tie with Switzerland on Saturday. They have other outstanding cases - like a Serbia fan allegedly racially abusing England fans - but Bellingham’s verdict was delivered quickly to free him to play this weekend.
While he has been handed a one-match ban, it has been suspended for one year, meaning he is free to play in the rest of the tournament, as long as he does not break any more rules. He is expected to start for the Three Lions in their quarter-final against Switzerland on Saturday.
Bellingham has admitted to being left overwhelmed by the dramatic nature of his goal. And he is keen for it to help England go all the way at this summer’s tournament.
"It was an emotional rollercoaster really, and probably not the most enjoyable way that you want to win a game. You want feel comfortable and in control, but you’ve got to find ways to win, even if it means overhead kicks in 90 plus five minutes.,” he told England’s Euro 2024 Diary Room.
"The difference in emotion is huge – it’s one minute being dead and buried, as I saw the Slovakia bench all ready to run on and you feel a bit disheartened and a bit gutted. It’s not the way I would’ve wanted it to end – I’m having a good time here with all the lads and the staff and one moment later, it all changes."
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