Jude Bellingham has clarified that a gesture he made towards Slovakia's bench was an "inside joke" directed at friends attending the game. Initially, this explanation seemed sufficient to avoid disciplinary action.
However, UEFA has now appointed an inspector to review the incident for allegedly violating the rules of "decent conduct". Additionally, the FA faces two charges related to fan behaviour and the use of fireworks.
Bellingham's stoppage-time
overhead kick saved England from an embarrassing defeat against an opponent
ranked 40 places below them in the world, averting early elimination. His improvised
strike forced extra time, with Harry Kane securing the winner in the first moments
of the additional period.
A UEFA statement read:
"Disciplinary proceedings have been instigated in accordance with Article
55 of the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations (DR) following the UEFA European
Championship Round of 16 match between England and Slovakia (2-1) played on 30
June 2024 in Gelsenkirchen, Germany.
"Match: UEFA EURO 2024
Round of 16 match between England and Slovakia. Charges against English
Football Association: Crowd disturbances, Art. 16(2)(h) DR; Lighting of
fireworks, Art. 16(2)(c) DR. The UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body
(CEDB) will decide on the matter in due course.
"Furthermore, 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."
Depending on the outcome of the
investigation, Bellingham could face sanctions from UEFA, potentially resulting
in a one-match ban that would rule him out of England's quarter-final against
Switzerland.
Jude Bellingham has clarified
that a gesture he made towards Slovakia's bench was an "inside joke"
directed at friends attending the game. Initially, this explanation seemed
sufficient to avoid disciplinary action. However, UEFA has now appointed an
inspector to review the incident for allegedly violating the rules of
"decent conduct". Additionally, the FA faces two charges related to
fan behaviour and the use of fireworks.
Bellingham's stoppage-time
overhead kick saved England from an embarrassing defeat against an opponent
ranked 40 places below them in the world, averting early elimination. His improvised
strike forced extra time, with Harry Kane securing the winner in the first moments
of the additional period.
A UEFA statement read:
"Disciplinary proceedings have been instigated in accordance with Article
55 of the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations (DR) following the UEFA European
Championship Round of 16 match between England and Slovakia (2-1) played on 30
June 2024 in Gelsenkirchen, Germany.
"Match: UEFA EURO 2024
Round of 16 match between England and Slovakia. Charges against English
Football Association: Crowd disturbances, Art. 16(2)(h) DR; Lighting of
fireworks, Art. 16(2)(c) DR. The UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body
(CEDB) will decide on the matter in due course.
"Furthermore, 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."
Depending on the outcome of the
investigation, Bellingham could face sanctions from UEFA, potentially resulting
in a one-match ban that would rule him out of England's quarter-final against
Switzerland.
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