UEFA Investigates Gesture: Jude Bellingham’s Quarter-Final Participation in Doubt

New Delhi: Star England and Real Madrid midfielder scored a stunning 95th minute bicycle kick to equal Slovakia’s 1-0 lead in the Round of 16 game at European Championships 2024 in Gelsenkirchen, Germany.

It was Belliingham’s goal which extended the game to extra time and Harry Kane netted a goal immediately at the beginning of extra time and gave England lead over Slovakia which turned out to be enough for them secure a berth in the quarter finals of the tournament where they will lock horns against Switzerland.

However, there are doubts about Bellingham’s participation in the quarter-final clash with England due to his gestures following his game-changing goal on Sunday.

After scoring the 21-year-old kissed his right hand and moved it to his private parts. Although the referee on-field missed the gesture, but Bellingham might face disciplinary action by the UEFA governing body.

“A UEFA Ethics and Disciplinary Inspectorate will conduct a disciplinary investigation into a possible breach of the basic rules of decent conduct by England player Jude Bellingham, alleged to have occurred in the context of this match,” the governing body said.

However, Bellingham defended his action. “An inside joke gesture towards some close friends who were at the game. Nothing but respect for how that Slovakia team played tonight,” Bellingham posted on X (formerly known as Twitter).

- An inside joke gesture towards some close friends who were at the game. Nothing but respect for how that Slovakia team played tonight. https://t.co/H8sETMkPoi

— Jude Bellingham (@BellinghamJude) June 30, 2024

However, irrespective of the reason behind his gestures UEFA’s rules are clear. “Any obscene gesture or offensive or insulting action must be punished with a red card.”

“His world is different to pretty much every other 21-year-old in the world… what he can provide are these moments where he grabs things by the scruff of the neck and his character and his personality creates moments that can change a big game,” Head Coach Gareth Southgate lauded Bellingham after the goal.

“I think it was 30 or 20 seconds until we were out of the European Championship,” Bellingham said. “It’s hard to deny that it was one of the most important moments of my career so far.”