Euro 2024: Jude Bellingham under scrutiny as UEFA investigate alleged offensive gesture

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Jude Bellingham is under UEFA investigation for a lewd gesture he made after scoring a dramatic equaliser against Slovakia in the Round of 16 of Euro 2024 on Sunday (June 30).

The crown jewel of English football scored a 95th-minute equalizer to save England's Euro prospects, but his subsequent celebration has put him in trouble as the governing body of European Football has started a scrutiny.

After scoring the goal, Bellingham was seen kissing his right hand before doing a gesture similar to crotch-grabbing. A section claimed the gesture was addressed to the Slovakia bench but the played denied the allegations.

UEFA has requested more information and will conduct a disciplinary investigation. The young player claimed that the gesture was an inside joke directed at close friends who attended the game and not aimed at the Slovakia bench. He later reiterated this defence on Twitter.

"An inside joke gesture towards some close friends who were at the game. Nothing but respect for how that Slovakia team played tonight," Bellingham wrote on X.

In the Euro 2024 match, Bellingham's last-minute bicycle kick forced extra time, and Harry Kane's goal eventually led England to victory. The team will now face Switzerland in the quarter-finals on Saturday (July 6).

Alongside investigating Bellingham's actions, Uefa has also charged the English Football Association (FA) with a "lack of order or discipline" by England fans and their "lighting of fireworks."

Will Jude Bellingham be Banned?

UEFA stated that an ethics and disciplinary inspector would look into whether Bellingham violated basic rules of decent conduct during the match. While it is considered unlikely that he will be banned, the governing body is taking a closer look at the incident.

The 21-year-old has been an instrumental figure for the Three Lions in this Euros. He has already scored 2 goals for them and the goal against Slovakia was perhaps one of the biggest in Bellingham's England career.