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EURO 2024: Bellingham's Gesture Could Lead to Quarter-Final Ban
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Jude Bellingham's 'inside joke' might cause him to miss England's Euro 2024 quarter-final against Switzerland.
The Real Madrid star saved England in the round of 16 by scoring a spectacular equalizer in the 95th minute against Slovakia. England then won 2-1 in extra time with a headed goal from captain Harry Kane.
However, Bellingham got into trouble after celebrating his goal with an X-rated gesture aimed at one of the benches. The 21-year-old moved his right hand from his face to his groin and thrust it back and forth while looking toward the sidelines. Many saw this as an offensive gesture directed at the Slovakian bench.
Bellingham later explained on social media that it was "an inside joke gesture towards some close friends who were at the game," adding, "nothing but respect for how that Slovakia team played tonight."
Despite his explanation, Portuguese newspaper A Bola reported that UEFA might consider a one-match ban for the act. This would be a significant blow to Gareth Southgate and his England team, who have only scored four goals in four games at this summer's Euros, with Bellingham netting two of them.
This isn't the first time such a gesture has appeared in football. Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone made a similar gesture in the Champions League in 2019 and apologized afterward. Cristiano Ronaldo mimicked the gesture in the return leg, and while he escaped a ban, he was fined €20,000 for "improper conduct" by UEFA.