Spot the difference: Jude Bellingham has made this lewd gesture before (Photo: Shutterstock/Getty)
Jude Bellingham is under investigation by UEFA after appearing to make an X-rated hand gesture during England’s Euro 2024 last 16 win over Slovakia.
But footage from three months ago proves that the Three Lions hero should be found innocent.
Bellingham wheeled away in celebration after scoring a stunning injury time bicycle kick to level the match and keep England in the Euros, with Harry Kane later scoring the winner in extra-time.
As the midfielder returned toward the centre-circle for the restart, he appeared to make a lewd gesture toward Slovakia’s bench, but the 21-year-old later clarified this was not the case.
‘An inside joke gesture towards some close friends who were at the game. Nothing but respect for how that Slovakia team played tonight,’ he tweeted.
But that hasn’t stopped UEFA from controversially deciding to open an investigation into Bellingham which could lead to disciplinary action against the player, a decision Gary Lineker branded as ‘ridiculous’.
Disciplinary action ranges from a fine to a match-ban with England set to face Switzerland in the quarter-finals on Saturday.
Scenes when Jude Bellingham scored Real Madrid winner against Barcelona. #ElClassico 3:2 #HalaMadrid Wow! ðpic.twitter.com/OBr2bL0kKb
— Michael (@IsamichaelReal) April 22, 2024
Thankfully for the Gareth Southgate and co., the chances of a ban happening look slimmer now after re-surfaced footage and photos seemingly prove that the gesture was indeed an ‘inside joke’.
The video in question is of Bellingham celebrating his injury time winner for Real Madrid against Barcelona in April’s El Clasico.
The clip shows the England star celebrating with his teammates before facing the crowd and making the very same gesture.
ð¥±â- An inside joke gesture towards some close friends who were at the game. Nothing but respect for how that Slovakia team played tonight.ð¤ð½ https://t.co/H8sETMkPoi
— Jude Bellingham (@BellinghamJude) June 30, 2024
Moreover, similar gestures have been made in the past by other players and managers which have resulted in either no action taken or just a fine.
This includes Cristiano Ronaldo, who was slapped with a €20,000 (£16,977) fine for performing the gesture while celebrating a hat-trick for Juventus against Atletico Madrid in 2019.
Regarding Bellingham, a statement from European football’s governing body read:
‘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.
‘Information on this matter will be made available in due course.’
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Source:: Metro
