Will Jude Bellingham's goal celebration have repercussions? And will the England star possibly even be banned for the European Championship quarter-final against Switzerland? One thing is clear: UEFA has launched an investigation.
No time? blue News summarizes for you
- Jude Bellingham saved England with his dream goal in the round of 16 against Slovakia in extra time.
- While celebrating his goal, Jude Bellingham hinted at a grab in his crotch. UEFA has therefore launched an investigation.
- So the superstar is in big trouble ahead of the quarter-final against Switzerland. Former top referee Manuel Gräfe believes it is possible that Bellingham will be banned.
Bellingham scored a dream goal in the fifth minute of stoppage time in the round of 16 against Slovakia to make it 1-1 and save England from going into extra time. Harry Kane made it 2-1 and it stayed that way until the end. England will now face Switzerland in the quarter-finals.
After the game, Bellingham is celebrated and criticized in equal measure. On the one hand, he scored fantastically, but on the other, he shouted "Who else?" into the cameras after the goal, which some saw as a fit of arrogance. The Real Madrid superstar explained at the post-match press conference: "Playing for England is a great feeling, but there's a lot of pressure and people talk a lot of garbage." It's nice to be able to give a little something back to the critics, he added.
Bellingham's goal celebration, however, contains another element that could now blow up in his face. UEFA has initiated disciplinary proceedings against the 21-year-old. They are investigating whether Bellingham's obscene gesture was in breach of the code of conduct. If Bellingham is punished, he could face consequences for the upcoming quarter-final against Switzerland.
Former referee and ZDF pundit Manuel Gräfe explained on X that Bellingham could face a ban. Gräfe compared the case with that of Albanian international Mirlind Daku, who incited fans with nationalist chants at this European Championship and was subsequently banned for two matches.
Even before the investigation was launched, Bellingham defended himself against the accusation that his implied crotch grab was directed at the Slovakian bench. "That was an inside line to a couple of my friends who were in the stadium. Nothing but respect for Slovakia and how they played today," he wrote on X.
On Saturday (6 p.m. in Düsseldorf), Switzerland will face England in the European Championship quarter-finals. Whether with or without Bellingham remains to be seen. In any case, Marc Guéhi will not be involved. The 23-year-old was a central defender for England at this European Championship and will be missing against the Nati due to a yellow card suspension.
