Jude Bellingham avoids immediate UEFA ban for offensive gesture, Demiral suspended for two matches ahead of quarter-finals

Jude Bellingham has avoided an immediate ban from UEFA for his offensive goal celebration during the Euro 2024 round of 16 match between England and Slovakia.

Bellingham is therefore available for England’s quarter-final clash with Switzerland on Saturday, but not before UEFA fined him 30,000 euros ($32,500) and gave him a one-match ban, which the soccer body said was “not immediately enforceable and is subject to a probationary period.”

After equalising in injury time in the 95th minute with a bicycle kick, Bellingham found himself in a controversial situation when the 21-year-old kissed his right hand and pointed it at his groin. The 21-year-old’s actions went unnoticed by the on-pitch referee. However, UEFA’s Ethics and Disciplinary Inspectorate confirmed it would investigate the provocative gesture after the thrilling match, which England won in extra time thanks to a goal from captain Harry Kane.

Bellingham, meanwhile, defended his actions after the game. “Inside joke to close friends who were at the game. Nothing but respect for how that Slovakia team played tonight,” Bellingham wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

Bellingham was praised by manager Gareth Southgate for his acrobatic goal against Slovakia which helped England overcome a disappointing performance to reach the quarter-finals, where they will meet Switzerland.

“His world is different to almost any other 21-year-old in the world… what he can provide is those moments where he grabs everything by the scruff of the neck and his character and personality create those moments that can change the course of a big game,” Southgate said.

Demiral suspended

Meanwhile, UEFA also confirmed that Turkey’s Merih Demiral will be suspended for two matches following his controversial gesture in his side’s 2-1 win over Austria in the round of 16 on Tuesday. Demiral scored both of Turkey’s goals and was in trouble for celebrating his second goal.

Demiral made the sign with each hand, which is used by Turkish nationalists and is associated with the Turkish ultranationalist organization Ulku Ocaklari, which is more widely known as Grey Wolves. UEFA said Demiral was banned “for failing to comply with the general rules of conduct, for violating the basic rules of decent behavior, for using sporting events for manifestations of an unsportsmanlike nature and for bringing the sport of football into disrepute.”

On Saturday in Berlin, Türkiye will face the Netherlands in the quarter-finals.

With AP inputs

First message: Jul 05, 2024 at 16:47 IST