HAMBURG, Germany: “Bellingham of England Investigated for Crotch Gesture”,UEFA announced an investigation into England midfielder Jude Bellingham for possible indecent conduct. The scrutiny follows an incident where Bellingham was observed grabbing his crotch and gesturing towards the crowd after England’s last-16 win against Slovakia at Euro 2024.
Bellingham, 21, scored an astonishing 95th-minute equaliser to push the game into extra time, gesturing after his goal at England fans who had been critical, then making the crotch gesture following the final whistle with the game won 2-1.
“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,” UEFA said in a statement on Monday.
While Bellingham’s aggressive goal celebration was clearly an angry message to England fans, the crotch gesture was viewed by some spectators as an insult to Slovakia.
“An inside joke gesture towards some close friends who were at the game. Nothing but respect for how that Slovakia team played tonight,” he said.
The Real Madrid player has been showered with praise in the past for his maturity, but acknowledged after the Slovakia game that he felt an explosion of emotion after his bicycle-kick goal, given days of heavy criticism of England on social media.
“People talk a lot of rubbish and it’s nice that, when you deliver, you can give them a little bit back,” he told reporters shortly after the game in Gelsenkirchen on Sunday.
He was walking alongside captain and fellow goalscorer Harry Kane when he kissed his hand and lowered it to his groin, according to footage of the players at the end of the game.
