By Victor Kanayo
English and Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham is under fire following his celebration gesture after the goal he scored against Slovakia in the last 16 of 2024 European Championship on Sunday.
Confirming this in a statement on Monday, the Championship’s organisers UEFA said it has opened disciplinary investigation into the gesture Bellingham made after he scored a stunning overhead kick to keep England in Euro 2024.
Part of the statement said, “Investigation has been launched into 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.”
Reacting, Bellingham who won both UEFA Champions League and La Liga with Real Madrid last season posted the incident on social media, dismissing the suggestion that it was aimed at the Slovakian players and coaching staff.
“An inside joke gesture towards some close friends who were at the game. Nothing but respect for how that Slovakia team played tonight,” Bellingham said on X.
The versatile midfielder struck in the 95th minute to equalise before England went on to beat Slovakia 2-1 after extra-time to set up a quarter-final meeting with Switzerland.
In the aftermath of the goal, Bellingham was caught on film mimicking a crotch grab while apparently looking towards the Slovakian bench.
