Bellingham gets one game ban for hand gesture against Slovakia

• Published On: 06 July 2024 at 09:26

Jude Bellingham is available for England's Euro 2024 quarterfinal against Switzerland after receiving a suspended one-game penalty on Friday for his provocative celebration after scoring against Slovakia in the previous round.

In a statement, European football's governing body UEFA said Bellingham would be fined 30,000 euros ($32,477) and sidelined "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," according to UEFA.

Bellingham, 21, was caught on camera faking a crotch grab while allegedly gazing at Slovakia's bench following his remarkable stoppage-time equaliser, which kept England in the competition.



However, he said it was "an inside joke" meant at a few buddies.

Given the passion around Bellingham's amazing strike, England manager Gareth Southgate stated that UEFA made a "common sense decision".

"I believed it was a common sense conclusion. "Clearly, when you score a goal of the quality that he did, at the time that he did, and at the age that he is, you're going to have an incredible rush of adrenaline," Southgate said in his pre-match press conference.


"I believe the gesture was made with no aim other than to communicate with his family, thus we thought it was a reasonable consequence.

"I communicate with players all the time, so I don't see why I need to spend more time with Jude on that. I believe he is aware of the investigation, and he is a clever individual."

Bellingham will almost probably start for England in Dusseldorf on Saturday evening, following his reprieve from UEFA's Ethics and Disciplinary Body.

The Real Madrid star has scored twice in four matches in Germany, helping England reach the final eight despite a spate of disappointing displays.

England has a tremendous chance to finally break a 58-year major event drought, given they are on the opposite side of the knockout bracket from all of the other tournament favorites.

A victory over the Swiss, who eliminated Italy in the last 16 and impressed in a Group A draw with hosts Germany, would set up a semi-final against Turkey or the Netherlands.

Meanwhile, Germany faces Spain, while Portugal faces France on the opposite side of the bracket.


Under Southgate, England reached the previous Euros final and advanced to the semi-finals of the last two World Cups, only to be eliminated in the 2018 semi-finals and the last eight four years later in Qatar.