- Bellingham gets one-match ban, probationary period
- England faces Switzerland, Bellingham can play
- UEFA fines FA for crowd disturbances, pyrotechnics
The 21-year-old has received a one-match ban, but it is “subject to a probationary period of one year, beginning from the date of the present decision,” It will only apply if there is another incident within the following year.
Despite a contentious goal celebration, Jude Bellingham will be permitted to play for England in their essential match against Switzerland and the remainder of the Euro 2024 campaign.
UEFA investigated the England star for his gesture during England’s game against Slovakia after scoring an injury-time equaliser to keep the Three Lions’ hopes alive.
He has received a one-match ban but is “subject to a probationary period of one year, beginning on the date of the present decision.”
This means the ban will only apply if another occurrence occurs within the following year.
He received a total fine of €30,000 (£25,400).
In the hours following the match, the 21-year-old Real Madrid star blogged about the gesture on X, describing it as an “inside joke.”
He explained that it was an inside joke gesture to some close pals who were at the game. I have nothing but praise for Slovakia’s performance tonight.
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The decision will comfort England, which will face Switzerland in the Saturday quarter-finals.
Two-goal Bellingham is the tournament’s equal leading scorer, alongside Harry Kane.
A potential match ban would also have dealt a significant blow to manager Gareth Southgate, who has battled to achieve a balance with his team selections.
The FA has also been fined €10,000 (£8,500) for “crowd disturbances” during the same game and €1,000 (£850) for using pyrotechnics.
In a separate decision regarding Tuesday’s Turkey-Austria encounter in Leipzig, UEFA punished Merih Demiral for two matches.
It comes after he gave a wolf salute to the crowd, which the governing body said constituted failing to comply with the general principles of conduct, violating the basic rules of decent conduct, using sports events for non-sporting manifestations, and bringing football into disrepute.
