Jude Bellingham escaped with an obscene gesture after his spectacular goal against Slovakia in the round of 16 of the European Championship. Deep into injury time, the midfielder equalised before grabbing his groin.

BILD reported on Friday morning that Bellingham would get away with a fine of several thousand euros and that news was confirmed by UEFA in the afternoon. The star player of the Three Lions is therefore still available for the quarter-final against Switzerland next Saturday at 6 p.m.

UEFA has imposed a fine of 30,000 euros and a one-match suspended ban for one year.

When footage of the obscene gesture surfaced on social media with the addition that Bellingham was addressing the Slovakian bench, the midfielder decided to respond briefly.

“The gesture was a private conversation with some good friends who were at the game. Nothing but respect for how the Slovakian team played against us,” he wrote on X.

That statement seems to have saved Bellingham now. Moreover, Slovakia did not file a complaint with UEFA. His gesture was unsportsmanlike, but it was not clearly aimed at his opponent, is the reasoning of BILD.

Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez was also fined at the 2022 World Cup after being named the tournament's best goalkeeper. The goalkeeper celebrated the award ceremony in a most remarkable way by holding the prize up to his genitals.

Suspension Demiral

While Bellingham gets away with a fine and a suspended suspension, Merih Demiral has been suspended by UEFA for two matches. The Turkish defender will therefore miss the quarter-final match against the Dutch national team on Saturday and a possible semi-final.

Demiral made a wolf salute after his goal against Austria (1-2 win), a gesture that is always linked to the Grey Wolves, an ultra-nationalist group. Political expressions are forbidden during the European Championship, which is why UEFA is unforgiving.

???- 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

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