- Jude Bellingham has escaped an immediate ban for the seemingly-lewd gesture
- The midfielder will be available for Saturday’s quarter-final against Switzerland
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Jude Bellingham has been handed a suspended one game UEFA ban and fined €30,000 (£25,000)for his controversial gesture against Slovakia.
The ruling means he is available for England’s crunch Euro 2024 quarter-final against Switzerland on Saturday.
European football’s governing body opened an investigation into the gesture during the win over Slovakia on Sunday in Bellingham pretended to grab his genitals.
UEFA wrote to Bellingham to ask him to explain his actions, while the organisation also contacted the Slovakian FA for their reflections on the alleged offence.
It was alleged that the gesture was made towards the Slovakian bench.
Jude Bellingham appeared to make an X-rated gesture towards the Slovakian bench after scoring for England on Sunday
The star, pictured in training on Friday, escaped an immediate ban and can play on Saturday
Gareth Southgate will be delighted to have the Real Madrid man available for the game
Bellingham is understood to have stuck to his assertions that the gesture was an ‘inside joke’.
After the game as footage emerged of the gesture, Bellingham tweeted: ‘An inside joke gesture towards some close friends who were at the game. Nothing but respect for how that Slovakia team played tonight.’
Nevertheless, Bellingham, 21, has been punished with a fine and a 12 month suspended one game UEFA ban.
Bellingham and his team-mates are gearing up for Saturday’s huge quarter-final clash
L-R: Ivan Toney, Harry Kane and Declan Rice looked focused during Friday’s session
Bellingham kept his team in the tournament with an incredible injury time equaliser on Sunday
Jordan Pickford has conceded just two goals in four matches so far in Germany
Bellingham seemed content with his his punishment as he was all smiles during England’s training session on Friday morning.
The Three Lions are facing their biggest test of the tournament so far with Switzerland having looked impressive in their path to the quarter-finals, knocking out holders Italy in the last-16.