The fate of England is lingering.
UEFA is investigating 21-year-old Jude Bellingham for allegedly “breaching the basic rules of decent conduct” after a tournament-saving goal against Slovakia in England’s Euro 2024 round-of-16.
Bellingham leaped into the air and scored a bicycle kick in the dying embers – tying the game at one – before motioning to grab his crotch in front of the Slovakia bench.
Following the game, Bellingham quickly responded on X, insisting that the whole thing was a misunderstanding.
“An inside joke gesture towards some close friends who were at the game. Nothing but respect for how that Slovakia team played tonight,” he wrote.
UEFA came forward on Monday, releasing a statement regarding the situation.
“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.”
As it stands, there’s still hope for Bellingham and Co.
A source reported to ESPN that if found guilty, the gesture is more likely to result in a fine instead of a ban from UEFA.
However, if the outcome is a ban, it would be a massive blow to a team that is already underperforming in the tournament.
Bellingham’s endowments have been apparent for England.
Through 371 minutes, he has tucked away two goals and found his teammates consistently with a passing accuracy of 88.75 percent.
In the Slovakia match alone, he was named player of the match and was the saving grace for England in one of its worst performances in eight years under coach Gareth Southgate.
During the 2019 Champions League, Cristiano Ronaldo was in the same boots as Bellingham due to a similar gesture.
However, he was met with €20k fines — approximately $21,475 — but no bans.
England is set to take on Switzerland in the quarterfinal, but until then, they will have to wait for more news about Bellingham’s situation.
