England's midfielder #10 Jude Bellingham celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the UEFA Euro 2024 round of 16 football match between England and Slovakia at the Arena AufSchalke in Gelsenkirchen on June 30, 2024. (Photo by Adrian DENNIS / AFP)
July 1, 2024
BLANKENHAIN, Germany (AFP)— UEFA opened a disciplinary investigation on Monday into a gesture made by Jude Bellingham after he scored a stunning overhead kick to keep England in Euro 2024.
The Real Madrid midfielder struck in the 95th minute to equalise before England went on to beat Slovakia 2-1 after extra-time on Sunday to set up a quarter-final meeting with Switzerland.
In the aftermath of the goal, Bellingham was caught on film mimicking a crotch grab while apparently looking towards the Slovakian bench.
In a statement competition organisers UEFA said an investigation had been launched into “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.”
Bellingham posted the incident on social media, dismissing the suggestion it was aimed at the Slovakian players and coaching staff.
“An inside joke gesture towards some close friends who were at the game. Nothing but respect for how that Slovakia team played tonight,” Bellingham said on X.