Following England’s 2-1 victory over Slovakia, social media buzzed with speculation that Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham had directed a controversial gesture at the Slovakian bench.
However, Bellingham quickly clarified that the gesture was merely an inside joke shared with friends who were watching from the stands. “Nothing but respect for how that Slovakia team played tonight,” he posted on X (formerly Twitter).
Despite Bellingham’s explanation, UEFA launched an investigation into the incident, sending a letter to both Bellingham and the England team to seek further clarification. The midfielder is expected to maintain his initial explanation that the gesture was simply an in-joke and not intended to offend anyone.
The investigation has caused concerns that Bellingham might face suspension for England’s upcoming quarter-final match against Switzerland in Düsseldorf on Saturday.
However, a recent report suggests that Bellingham is likely to avoid a ban. According to Bild, as reported by the Daily Mail, Bellingham will likely receive a five-figure fine instead of a suspension. This expected outcome is partly because Slovakia is not pushing for a punishment against Bellingham.
Interestingly, this isn’t the first time Bellingham has made a similar gesture. Last season, after scoring a last-minute winner for Real Madrid against Barcelona, he performed a comparable gesture but did not face any investigation or repercussions for his behavior.
The Bild report also drew parallels to another high-profile incident involving Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez. During the penalty shootout in the 2022 World Cup final in Qatar, Martinez made a similar gesture and was fined but not suspended.
Bellingham is not the only player under scrutiny for gestures made during Euro 2024. Turkey’s Merih Demiral is also under investigation by UEFA.
During Turkey’s round of 16 victory over Austria, Demiral performed the ‘Wolf’s Salute,’ a gesture associated with the Grey Wolves, a far-right extremist group.
This action has prompted a separate UEFA investigation, indicating that the governing body is closely monitoring players’ conduct both on and off the field during the tournament.
