England’s midfielder Jude Bellingham is at risk of suspension due to an inappropriate gesture he made after scoring a 95th-minute equaliser during the round of 16 match against Slovakia in Euro 2024 on Sunday.
England were on the verge of elimination from the tournament but Bellingham scored an overhead kick goal which took the game into extra time.
In the extra time, Harry Kane scored one more for England and the Three Lions made their way to the tournament’s quarter-final where they will now take on Switzerland, who eliminated Italy with a commanding 2-0 win.
After his equaliser, Bellingham made a gesture in the direction of Slovakia’s bench which sparked a debate among fans as the laws indicate that such “obscene gesture” or “offensive insulting action” is punishable by a red card and a disciplinary action cannot be ruled out by UEFA.
The report from the match referee would be crucial in UEFA’s decision on punishing Bellingham or not.
Regardless, the Real Madrid midfielder clarified his gesture via a post on X, formerly Twitter, saying that it was towards some “close friends”.
“An inside joke gesture towards some close friends who were at the game,” Bellingham said. “Nothing but respect for how that Slovakia team played tonight.”
Last season during a La Liga match between Valencia and Real Madrid, Bellingham was shown a red card and was also suspended for two league matches due to his "contemptuous or disrespectful attitude towards a referee”.
A last-minute goal by Real Madrid was ruled out by Spanish referee Jesus Gil Manzano as he had blown the final whistle and the match ended 2-2, after which Bellingham, along with his teammates, protested the decision and was ultimately shown a red card.
England’s next task against Switzerland would not be easy by any means as they have been struggling in the tournament. Slovakia almost knocked them out as well. It will be interesting to see how Gareth Southgate sets his team for the quarter-final clash.