Jude Bellingham banned for one match for gesture in England’s win over Slovakia

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Jude Bellingham has been handed a one-match ban following a UEFA investigation into a lewd gesture he made towards the Slovakia bench during the last 16 of the European Championship.

Bellingham will be available for England’s quarter-final clash with Switzerland in Düsseldorf on Saturday. He was also fined €30,000, while the English FA were fined €11,000 for setting off fireworks and causing a crowd disturbance during the match with Slovakia.

UEFA issued a statement on Monday saying Bellingham would be investigated “for a potential breach of basic principles of good conduct.” European soccer’s governing body had previously indicated Bellingham should not be punished.

The 21-year-old scored the equaliser in the last minute to force the round of 16 match into extra time, while Harry Kane scored the winner to secure a place in the quarter-finals against Switzerland.

After scoring in the 95th minute of the match in Gelsenkirchen, Bellingham apparently made a lewd gesture towards the Slovakia bench.

He later claimed on social media that it was an “inside joke” aimed at his close friends who were at the match. “Nothing but respect for how this Slovakia team played tonight,” he added.

According to the International Football Association Board (IFAB) Laws of the Game, any “obscene gesture” or “insulting or insulting action” should be punished with a red card.

England will be Defender Marc Guehi will be absent from Saturday’s quarter-finals after the centre-back received his second yellow card of the tournament during the last-16 victory over Slovakia. He will be eligible to return for the semi-finals if England progress to the next round by beating Switzerland.

UEFA confirmed on Monday that Declan Rice will not be held accountable for his post-match altercation with Slovakia coach Francesco Calzona.

The midfielder was pushed in the chest by Calzona as the Slovakia coach approached referee Umat Meler at full-time. Rice appeared ready to shake Calzona’s hand but reacted when the opposing coach pushed him.

(Patricia De Melo Moreira/AFP via Getty Images)