UEFA’s ‘expected decision’ on Jude Bellingham ban revealed after crude gesture in England win

UEFA’s likely decision over a potential ban for Jude Bellingham at Euro 2024 has been revealed in a new report.

Bellingham, 21, is currently under investigation from European football’s governing body over a crude gesture he made after scoring in England‘s round of 16 win over Slovakia on Sunday.

After dramatically equalising with an overhead kick in the fifth minute of injury time, Bellingham gestured towards his crotch.

Some on social media suggested the Real Madrid star had directed it at the Slovakian bench.

But after the 2-1 victory for England, Bellingham insisted the act was merely an inside joke with friends watching from the stands.

“Nothing but respect for how that Slovakia team played tonight,” he added on X.

UEFA launched an investigation into the matter, sending a letter to Bellingham and England seeking an explanation.

It is understood that the midfielder plans to stand by his initial explanation that his gesture was an in-joke.

The investigation has raised fears Bellingham could be suspended for Saturday’s quarter-final against Switzerland in Dusseldorf.

But a new report claims Bellingham is set to escape a ban.

Bild (via the Daily Mail) claim Bellingham will avoid a suspension and is likely to be handed a five-figure fine instead.

This is said to be the expected outcome, partially because Slovakia are not seeking a punishment.

Bellingham performed a similar gesture after scoring a last-minute winner for Real Madrid against Barcelona last season and on that occasion, he did not face an investigation over his behaviour.

Bellingham made the gesture in England’s win over Slovakia (Image: Getty)

Bild also pointed out that Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez made a similar gesture during the penalty shootout in the 2022 World Cup final in Qatar and escaped with a fine.

Bellingham is not the only player under investigation for making a gesture at Euro 2024.

Turkey star Merih Demiral is being probed by UEFA after performing a ‘Wolf’s Salute’, a gesture associated with the Grey Wolves – a far-right extremist group, during Turkey’s round of 16 win over Austria on Tuesday night.

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