Jude Bellingham under Uefa investigation for apparent crotch gesture
Jude Bellingham scored a dramatic stoppage-time equaliser to keep England's campaign alive on Sunday evening
Uefa is launching an investigation into Jude Bellingham over his “inside joke” gesture towards the Slovakia bench after scoring his wonder goal in Gelsenkirchen.
The England midfielder, 21, denied making a crude action towards the technical area just after his scissor-kick equaliser forced extra time in the European Championship round-of-16 clash at Arena AufSchalke.
Bellingham’s hand signal appeared to relate to the size of his testicles but he insisted on social media afterwards that it was: “An inside joke gesture towards some close friends who were at the game.” He added that he had “nothing but respect for how that Slovakia team played tonight”.
Uefa, European football’s governing body, has confirmed it is now looking into the matter, along with starting disciplinary proceedings against the Football Association over fireworks being lit in the stadium and the conduct of supporters.
“An 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,” read a statement from Uefa.
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