Jude Bellingham could be BANNED for England quarter-final as Uefa investigate gesture vs Slovakia
Bellingham previously took to social media to defend the gesture
JUDE BELLINGHAM could be banned from England’s Euro 2024 quarter final against Switzerland after a stunning Uefa U-turn.
Euro chiefs began this morning suggesting there was no likelihood of proceedings against England’s Slovakia saviour for his post goal gestures in Gelsenkirchen.
Bellingham was captured by TV cameras putting his hand under his genitals in a move that signalled he has what it takes in a crisis.
Accused of disrespecting his opponents, Bellingham took to social media to explain: “An inside joke towards some close friends who were at the game. Nothing but respect for how that Slovakia team played tonight.”
However, a ban is now hanging over him until the outcome of the probe although in previous similar cases players have been fined rather than suspended for gestures.
Shortly before lunchtime, SunSport was told that no disciplinary measures were being considered.
It was understood that there were no mentions of the gesture in any of the match reports made by Uefa officials, with Nyon insiders hinting at no expectation of anything changing.
However, in an email statement, Uefa announced an abrupt change of stance that will cause huge worries for Bellingham and the England camp.
A spokesman said: “A Uefa Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector will conduct a disciplinary investigation regarding a potential violation of the basic rules of decent conduct by the English Football Association player, Jude Bellingham, having allegedly occurred in the scope of this match.
“Information on this matter will be made available in due course.”
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England ratings: Bellingham rescues woeful Three Lions as big names, and manager, have a shocker
JUDE BELLINGHAM’S majestic overhead kick deep into stoppage time saved England from a humiliating Euros exit.
Gareth Southgate’s side had been utterly woeful and looked to be heading home thanks to Ivan Schranz’s clever finish.
But Bellingham came to the rescue in the 96th minute, brilliantly firing into the corner after Marc Guehi had flicked on Kyle Walker’s long throw.
Remarkably, it was England’s first shot on target, summing how poor they had been.
But another one came soon after, as 53 seconds into extra-time, Harry Kane headed home from close range to set up a quarter-final with Switzerland.
It was as close a shave as it comes, and if they play like this against the Swiss, then they will be toast.
Here’s how Tom Barclay rated England’s stars… and manager Southgate.
Jordan Pickford: 5
Appeared to hurt his left hand when taking a big whack in the warm-up, but still played. Fired a lot of long balls and was lucky not to be lobbed by David Strelec’s 45-yard strike.
Kyle Walker: 4
England’s second-most experienced player had a shocker. He looked uncharacteristically slow, his touch was heavy and his crossing was nowhere near good enough. But it was his long throw that led to Bellingham’s magic.
John Stones: 4
Said it was time for the senior pros to step up in the build-up to the game, but there was little sign of that until Bellingham did his thing, and he is only 21. Stones fired aimless long balls, gave it away and it was his mistake that almost led to Strelec’s trying his luck from range.
Marc Guehi: 5
Booked early after Kieran Trippier’s underhit pass meant he had to take out the excellent David Strelec, meaning he is out of the quarter-final. Ivan Schranz bamboozled him for Slovakia’s opener but his flick-on to Bellingham brought the leveller.
Kieran Trippier: 4
When Jude Bellingham’s good ball found Trippier on the edge of the box early doors, on his favoured right foot, you thought, ‘Here we go’. He smashed it into Row Z.
Declan Rice: 5
An old-school reducer on Juraj Kucka was a fair tackle, even if it left the 37-year-old hobbling. His curling effort with ten minutes to go cracked against the post.
Kobbie Mainoo: 6
FIRST start at a major tournament and our only decent performer in an horrendous first half from England. Blasted a volley over but was also booked for a late tackle.
Bukayo Saka: 5
We all know what a fantastic player Saka is for Arsenal, and for England in games gone by, but he rarely threatened here. Did go the distance though, and in a number of positions.
Jude Bellingham: 7 and STAR MAN
Cometh the hour, cometh the man. He had underwhelmed again until the 96th minute, but who cares when you step up like that.
Phil Foden: 4
Thought he had levelled early in the second half but his tap-in was ruled out by VAR after he was caught being, inexplicably, offside. Just off it all night, in danger of being dropped.
Harry Kane: 6
Still way off his best – he was nowhere to be seen in the first half and missed a free header after the break – but got it right when it counted in extra time.
SUBSTITUTIONS
Cole Palmer (on for Kieran Trippier, 66): 7
FANS were on their feet applauding when Southgate finally made a change and brought him on. So lively and with a lovely delivery, must be in with a chance of starting against the Swiss.
Eberechi Eze (on for Kobbie Mainoo, 84): 6
Did enough to put off Slovak full-back Peter Pekarik from turning home at close range in extra-time. Looked like he had been hit by a train when Denis Vavro walloped into him.
Ivan Toney (on for Phil Foden, 90): 7
GRABBED the assist for Kane’s winner by flicking on after a free-kick – which he had won with his strength – had been cleared.
Conor Gallagher (on for Harry Kane, 105): 6
Southgate rolled the dice in extra-time by trying to shut the game out, taking his captain off for the Chelsea midfielder.
Ezri Konsa (on for Jude Bellingham, 105): 6
Ditto to Gallagher as Konsa got his first minutes of the tournament in place of the hero Bellingham, which felt a risky strategy.
MANAGER
Gareth Southgate: 3.
A lucky, lucky man. Tactically, his team were all long ball, lacked any movement, and did not conjure up a shot on target until Bellingham’s wonder strike – and that came from Walker chucking it in the mixer. Subs took ages in the 90 and then felt risky as he sought to see the game out in extra-time.
But the surprise move will destabilise England back at their Erfurt base as they begin to prepare for Saturday’s game in Dusseldorf.
The FA also faces a significant fine for the behaviour of fans in the Arena AufSchalke.
England have been hit by two charges – for “lack of order or discipline by supporters” and for the lighting of fireworks.
Crimes and punishments
Other players have had the book thrown at them for making crude gestures. Here's a list of some of the most famous offenders...
Dele Alli was banned for one match by Fifa and fined £3,500 for raising his middle finger in a World Cup qualifier against… SLOVAKIA… in 2017. He claimed it was just a friendly joke aimed at Kyle Walker.
Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone was slapped with a £17,000 fine for improper conduct for his bizarre crotch-grabbing celebration against in a Champions League first leg tie in 2019.
Then-Juventus star Cristiano Ronaldo then repeated the act when he scored against Atletico in the return leg and was hit with an identical fine. He escaped a ban though.
Montpellier coach Rene Girard was hit with a one-match European ban and fined £4,000 for raising his finger to opposite number Huub Stevens at the end of a 2012 Champions League clash against Schalke 04.
