UEFA responds as England fans feared Jude Bellingham may be banned for quarter-final

Joking about is all fun and games, unless it has the ability to rip you away from a crucial moment in your life.

And that's what fans thought would happen to England player, Jude Bellingham.

This comes after many believed his 'inside joke' could have got him banned from playing in the Euro quarter-finals against Switzerland.

The Real Madrid star scored an equaliser in the 95th minute against Slovakia last night (30 June) before Harry Kane got one in, making it a 2-1 for England.

However, Bellingham has faced criticism for the X-rated action he made after his goal.

When he gestured to what seemed to be the Slovakian bench, with his hand near his groin and thrusting about - people were convinced he was causing a scene.

But Bellingham explained on social media: “An inside joke gesture towards some close friends who were at the game.

“Nothing but respect for how that Slovakia team played tonight.”

However, no matter who it was aimed at, Portuguese newspaper A Bola reported that UEFA could give the footballer a one-match ban over it.

In 2019 Atletico Madrid’s Diego Simeone made similar gesture in a Champion's League match against Juventus.

🥱❌- An inside joke gesture towards some close friends who were at the game. Nothing but respect for how that Slovakia team played tonight.🤝🏽 https://t.co/H8sETMkPoi

— Jude Bellingham (@BellinghamJude) June 30, 2024

His gesture was mimicked by Cristiano Ronaldo which landed him a €20,000 fine for 'improper conduct' by the UEFA.

A UEFA spokesperson told LADbible: "Following the review of the officials reports for ENG-SVK match, disciplinary proceedings have been opened against the English Football Association for lighting of fireworks and crowd disturbances.

"The CEDB [Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body] will take a decision on this case in due course. No further proceedings have been opened."

The UEFA has now said in a new statement this afternoon: "A 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.

"Information on this matter will be made available in due course."

It’s also not just Bellingham who’s under the scope, as Declan Rice and Slovakia head coach Francesco Calzona exchanged some heated words on the field after the midfielder was pushed.

Rice could be seen shouting at the head coach, but many people wondered what was being said.

As per MailOnline, lipreader Jeremy Freeman claimed Rice said: “Shut up, p****, oi, shut up, you bald c***.”

Calzona then went on to say that he was itching to complain about England and their ‘time-wasting tactics’ to officials during extra time.

"Rice was supposed to go to the referees and leave," Calzona said. "I had to speak to the refs and he wasn't leaving, he carried on.

"But then he apologised and it was all fine. I didn't like the way the England team were wasting time and not punished."

LADbible has previously contacted Rice's reps for comment.