Bellingham to play Switzerland despite suspension

England star Jude Bellingham will be fit to play in the Euro 2024 quarter-final against Switzerland on Saturday. UEFA investigated the midfielder after he made an inappropriate gesture towards the Slovakia bench on June 30. The Real Madrid star scored the equaliser in that match before grabbing his crotch as he glared at his opponents. England eventually won the match and advanced to the tournament.

Bellingham has been spotted making the gesture multiple times while playing for Real since joining the club in 2023. However, the England international was quick to deny the move was aimed at Slovakia. Bellingham took to social media after his previous win to claim it was an “inside joke” with friends at the match. He also noted that he “has nothing but respect for the way Slovakia played.”

Bellingham receives ban but it will have no impact on Euro 2024

Although Bellingham is eligible to play against Switzerland, he was handed a ban and fine. UEFA said the midfielder must pay around $32,000. The ban is suspended, however. This means he will be forced to miss one international match in the next year.

In addition to revealing Bellingham’s ban, UEFA also announced that Turkish defender Merih Demiral faces a two-match ban for another gesture. However, the centre-back’s suspension is immediate. Demiral scored both of Turkey’s goals in their win over Austria on July 2.

The defender celebrated by making a “wolf salute” with his fingers during the triumph, a gesture that has been banned in Austria and France due to his links to a far-right extremist group. Demiral will now miss his team’s quarter-final match against the Netherlands on July 6. Assuming Turkey can pull off a surprise, the defender will miss the semi-final.

News of suspension comes as a relief for England ahead of Switzerland clash

England manager Gareth Southgate and Three Lions fans will no doubt be pleased that Bellingham will be playing against Switzerland. Although England disappointed at Euro 2024 given their expectations, the midfielder was one of the bright spots on the pitch.

As well as scoring the decisive late goal against Slovakia, Bellingham also scored the only goal of the match against Serbia, and the star played all but four minutes of England’s career throughout the tournament.

Suspending UEFA’s ban may seem strange, but it would be harsh to force a star to miss such an important match. The gesture was certainly inappropriate. However, fans want to see the best players at a major tournament like Euro 2024.

Bellingham’s potential exclusion from the Switzerland match would also be a devastating blow to England. The Swiss are unbeaten in the competition so far and recently beat defending champions Italy. As a result, Switzerland will be full of confidence on Saturday.

England entered the tournament as joint favourites with France, and their performances made their next match against Switzerland uncertain. There is no doubt that the Three Lions are vastly improved with Bellingham at the centre of their midfield.

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