Jude Bellingham is being investigated by UEFA for allegedly “violating the basic rules of decent behaviour” by making a gesture of grabbing his groin in front of Slovakia inside bench EnglandEuro 2024 round of 16 victory in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, on Sunday.
However, a source told ESPN that the action, which came after the stoppage-time equaliser, is unlikely to result in a ban from UEFA, with the most likely punishment being a fine if he is found guilty.
Bellingham, 21, said on social media that the act was just an “inside joke with friends”, but UEFA has instructed its disciplinary body to investigate the action.
Previous instances of a similar gesture from Cristiano Ronaldo and Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone in the 2019 Champions League was fined 20,000 euros but not banned.
England it’s playtime Switzerland in the quarter-finals in Düsseldorf on Saturday.
In a statement released on Monday, UEFA said: “The UEFA Ethics and Disciplinary Inspectorate will conduct a disciplinary investigation in relation to a potential breach of the fundamental rules of professional conduct by the Football Association player Jude Bellingham, which allegedly occurred during this match.
“Information on this matter will be released in due course.”
The English Football Association was also charged by UEFA over fan-related issues following the match against Slovakia.
UEFA is investigating “disorderly or disciplinary behaviour by fans” and “the setting off of fireworks”.
