New Delhi: England were made to sweat over the availability of Jude Bellingham after the midfielder made an inappropriate gesture during his celebration of the last-minute equalizer he scored against Slovakia in the previous round. The midfielder has been handed a one-match ban by the UEFA but the ban is applicable for over one year meaning he’s free to play against Switzerland.
The gesture in question was his ‘crotch-grabbing’ during his celebrations of that audacious over-head kick he scored as it was interpreted to be a disrespectful gesture towards the Slovakian bench, which was being investigated by UEFA ever since the game ended. The Real Madrid midfielder has been handed a one-game ban by the UEFA and has also fined the midfielder €30,000 (₹27 lakh).
Bellingham denied all reports and interpretations of his gesture being disrespectful towards the Slovakian players on social media and said the gesture was,” an inside-joke gesture towards some close friends who were at the game”, and added that he had, “nothing but respect for how Slovakia played”.
Apart from the fine imposed on Bellingham, UEFA also charged the English FA €11,000 for issues involving the England faithful. €10,000 of the fine was for crowd disturbances, and €1,000 for lighting fireworks. While heavy fines have been imposed, the FA will be relieved that their star man is cleared to play against Switzerland in what is a crucial and tricky fixture for the Three Lions.
Bellingham has been England’s joint-leading goalscorer at the tournament along with Harry Kane and his availability for the Switzerland game will be a massive relief for England. England are looking for their first major trophy since 1966 and will be hoping to reach the final once again after losing on penalties in the UEFA Euro 2020 final.
While Bellingham avoided a ban that will affect his country’s UEFA Euro campaign, the same can’t be said for Turkey’s Merih Demiral, as he was issued a two-game ban by the UEFA for a gesture he made in his side’s last-16 win against Austria. Turkey face the Netherlands in the quarter-finals tomorrow and the winner of the game will face the winner of England vs Switzerland.
Jude Bellingham has been cleared to play the UEFA Euro 2024 quarterfinal clash against Switzerland but will have to pay a fine for €30,000. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
