England star Jude Bellingham is being investigated by UEFA over a potentially offensive gesture made during his side’s European Football Championship win against Slovakia on Monday (AEST).
UEFA on Tuesday said it appointed a disciplinary inspector to look at “a potential violation of the basic rules of decent conduct.”
Bellingham seemed to make a gesture with his hand toward his crotch after scoring an acrobatic stoppage-time equaliser as England went on to win 2-1 in extra time.
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Bellingham’s overhead kick with about 80 seconds left in the game saved England from a humiliating exit in the first knockout round.
If UEFA charges Bellingham, he risks being suspended for the quarter final against Switzerland on Sunday.
However, judging by similar cases in the past, the midfielder is likely to escape with a fine if he is disciplined.
“Information on this matter will be made available in due course,” the UEFA said in a statement.
Bellingham took to social media on Monday to deny suggestions he gestured toward the Slovakia bench.
“An inside joke gesture towards some close friends who were at the game. Nothing but respect for how that Slovakia team played,” Bellingham wrote on X.
https://twitter.com/BellinghamJude/status/1807510273500025212?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Five years ago, Cristiano Ronaldo — while playing for Juventus — and Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone were each fined $22,700 by UEFA for making obscene gestures during their Champions League match-up.
Disgraced former Spanish soccer chief Luis Rubiales was also involved in a similar incident during the final of the Women’s World Cup final last August. He grabbed his crotch as a victory gesture while Queen Letizia of Spain and 16-year-old Princess Sofía were standing nearby.
That offence was overshadowed soon after when Rubiales kissed Spain forward Jenni Hermoso on the lips without her consent.