UEFA has opened an investigation into Jude Bellingham for inappropriate conduct

The English midfielder made an obscene gesture towards the opposing bench after celebrating his goal in the round of 16 match against Slovakia

The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) announced on July 1 that it will open a disciplinary investigation against British player Jude Bellingham for inappropriate conduct. This follows his team’s match against Slovakia at Euro 2024 on June 30.

“A UEFA Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector will conduct a disciplinary investigation into a possible breach of the basic rules of decent conduct by English Football Association player Jude Bellingham, which allegedly occurred during this match,” it said in a statement.

During the round of 16 match, Bellingham scored a goal during added time that allowed England to equalise and later secure their passage to the quarter-finals. While celebrating, the midfielder kissed his hand and made an obscene gesture towards the opposing team’s bench. Although the referee did not caution him at the time for unsportsmanlike conduct, the action was recorded and went viral on social media.

“It was an inside joke towards some close friends who were at the game. Nothing but respect for how the Slovak team played tonight,” Bellingham responded on his X account (formerly Twitter), after sharing the video of the moment.

Sanction

Photo: EFE/EPA/GEORGI LICOVSKI

Various specialist websites reported that the Real Madrid player’s gesture violated UEFA’s Disciplinary Regulations. For example, Article 11 states that “any conduct that insults or violates the principles of decent conduct” will be subject to sanction by the confederation.

If detected by the referee on the pitch, this can lead to a caution against the player, or even a red card depending on the severity of the act. Once an investigation has been opened, it will now be up to the inspector to study the evidence and carry out the relevant enquiries and interrogations in order to draw up a report, on which the UEFA Control and Disciplinary Body will make a decision.

Sanctions for unsportsmanlike conduct can range from a warning at best to a suspension for one or more matches. Action can also be taken against the team, affecting its tournament standings or any other ruling deemed appropriate by the committee.

Bellingham’s case was not the only case that UEFA opened against England for the match against Slovakia at the European Championship. According to the website Directv Sportsthe organisers also filed charges against the English Football Association for public disorder, due to the disturbances caused by fans during and after the game and the lighting of flares inside the stadium, which is prohibited by the regulations.

Chilean savior

UEFA has opened an investigation into Bellingham for inappropriate conduct — Photo: EFE/EPA/GEORGI LICOVSKI

England advanced to the quarter-finals after a rather lacklustre performance so far in the Euros. Gareth Southgate’s team was on the verge of being eliminated by Slovakia, who closed the match 1-0 with a goal scored in the first half by Ivan Schranz.

However, salvation came in the 95th minute of extra time, just before the final whistle, when a throw-in by England’s Kyle Walker was intercepted by his teammate Marc Guéhi, who positioned it in the central area. There, Bellingham jumped and scored a bicycle kick that landed directly in the Slovak goal for the equaliser.

With the score tied in the final minute, the match went into a third period in which Harry Kane scored the comeback goal just 50 seconds after the start, closing out the match with a 1-2 win that took them through to the quarter-finals. They will now face Switzerland on July 6 at the Merkur Spiel-Arena in Düsseldorf, Germany.