UEFA’s expected decision on Jude Bellingham’s suspension revealed after rude gesture during England win

UEFA’s likely decision on Jude Bellingham’s potential exclusion from Euro 2024 has been revealed in a new report.

Bellingham, 21, is currently under investigation by the European Football Association for a vulgar gesture he made after scoring a goal in England’s last-16 win over Slovakia on Sunday.

After dramatically equalising with a bicycle kick in the fifth minute of stoppage time, Bellingham pointed to his crotch.

Some social media users suggested that the Real Madrid star directed the message to the Slovak bench.

However, after England’s 2-1 victory, Bellingham insisted the whole incident was an inside joke and that his friends had been watching from the stands.

“Total respect for how the Slovakian team played today,” he added on X.

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

It is understood the midfielder intends to stick to his original explanation that his gesture was a joke.

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

However, a new report claims Bellingham has a chance to avoid the ban.

According to Bild (according to the Daily Mail), Bellingham will avoid a suspension and will likely be fined in the five figures.

They say this result was to be expected, partly because Slovakia is not seeking a penalty.

Bellingham made a similar gesture after scoring Real Madrid’s winning goal against Barcelona in the final moments of last season; he was not investigated for his conduct at the time.

Bild also noted that Argentine goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez made a similar gesture during the penalty shootout in the 2022 World Cup final in Qatar and avoided a fine.

Bellingham is not the only footballer under investigation for a gesture made during Euro 2024.

UEFA is investigating Turkish star Merih Demiral, who made the “Wolf Salute”, a gesture associated with the Grey Wolves – a far-right extremist group – during Turkey’s round of 16 win over Austria on Tuesday evening.

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