Euro 2024: Jude Bellingham free to feature in England’s quarter-final clash with Switzerland after one-match ban
Jude Bellingham has escaped an immediate ban after making a gesture in the aftermath of England's dramatic 2-1 win over Slovakia.
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Bellingham grabbed his crotch after his stunning equaliser in stoppage time, which the Real Madrid midfielder dismissed as "an inside joke" to his friends.
The 21-year-old will be available for the quarter-final clash against Switzerland, but has received a £25,000 (€30,000) fine and a suspended one-match ban.
Posting on X in the aftermath of the incident, he said: “An inside joke gesture towards some close friends who were at the game. Nothing but respect for how that Slovakia team played.”
This will be on a one-year probation period, leaving him free to play in Dusseldorf on Saturday.
UEFA claimed that Bellingham had violated "the basic rules of decent conduct", but the suspension will only be enforced should he re-offend.
Europe's football governing body announced their intention to investigate Bellingham's actions on Monday.
They said in a statement: “UEFA Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector will conduct a disciplinary investigation regarding a potential violation of the basic rules of decent conduct by the English
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Football Association player, Jude Bellingham, having allegedly occurred in the scope of this match.”
With their verdict now reached, it appears that the matter is closed, thus alleviating fears that Bellingham could miss England's quarter-final tie at the weekend.
One player who is not so lucky is Turkey's Merih Demiral.
The Al Ahli defender was issued with an immediate two-match ban after being found guilty “for violating the basic rules of decent conduct for using sports events for manifestations of a non-sporting nature and for bringing the sport of football into disrepute.”
This was in relation to the second of two goals he scored in Turkey's 2-1 win over Austria in their last-16 clash on Tuesday.
He will miss Turkey's quarter-final against the Netherlands on Saturday, and a potential semi-final, should they progress.