England star Jude Bellingham faces a potential ban from the Euro 2024 quarter-final against Switzerland for making an explicit gesture after scoring against Slovakia.
The England and Real Madrid midfielder could be sidelined from the match as UEFA awaits a report on his controversial celebration following his goal against Slovakia.
Bellingham scored a crucial equalizer in the 95th minute, helping England advance to the round of 16. England eventually won the match 2-1 in extra time, with Harry Kane scoring the decisive goal.
However, Bellingham found himself in hot water after making an explicit gesture towards one of the benches while celebrating his goal. The 21-year-old was seen moving his right hand from his face to his groin and thrusting it back and forth while looking towards the sidelines.
Bellingham later clarified on social media that the gesture was an inside joke directed at close friends who were present at the game, stating, “Nothing but respect for how that Slovakia team played tonight.”
Portuguese newspaper A Bola reported that UEFA might consider the gesture worthy of a one-match ban.
This is not the first instance of such a gesture in football. In 2019, Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone apologized for a similar gesture in a Champions League match against Juventus. Cristiano Ronaldo later mimicked the gesture in the return leg, helping his team make a remarkable comeback to win 3-2 on aggregate. Ronaldo escaped a ban and was fined €20,000 by UEFA for “improper conduct.”