Jude claims that it was a joke aimed at his friends and that there was no disrespect towards Slovaks.
UEFA intends to investigate an obscene gesture performed by the midfielder England international Jude Bellingham after his goal Slovakia in the 1/8 finals of the 2024 European Championship (2:1).
A statement from European football’s governing body read:
“The UEFA Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector will conduct a disciplinary investigation into a possible breach of the Football Association’s Basic Rules of Good Conduct by Jude Bellingham, which allegedly occurred during this match.”
There is no word on what sanctions Bellingham will face if he is found guilty, but the Real Madrid midfielder could theoretically face a ban for the Three Lions’ upcoming match against Switzerland.
The essence of the incident is as follows: at the end of stoppage time, after Jude scored a masterpiece goal that saved his team against Martin Dubravka, he, looking at the stands, lowered his hand to the groin area and made an obscene gesture.
Jude Bellinghams gesture to the Slovakian bench after he scored 👊🇸🇰🏴 pic.twitter.com/qwlUSa7Ocs
— Football Fights (@footbalIfights) June 30, 2024
The player himself, hot on the heels, commented on the situation as follows:
“The gesture was an inside joke to close friends who were at the game. Nothing but respect for today’s game of the Slovak national team.”
Bellingham, who turned 21 the day before the match, became the youngest football player to score in the European Championship playoffs for England, and was also recognized as the best player of the reporting match. His miracle goal sent the game into overtime, after which Harry Kane brought England a strong victory.
Gareth Southgate’s side will face Switzerland in the quarter-finals on July 6.
Source: Sportarena
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