England star Jude Bellingham could now reportedly be set for a one-match ban at the 2024 UEFA European Championship following his controversial behaviour on Sunday.
The 21-year-old emerged as a hero after his spectacular stoppage-time bicycle kick against Slovakia in the round of 16 saved the Three Lions from an elimination that would have come earlier than many would have expected.
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England went on to secure their place in the quarter-finals of the continental competition after Harry Kane found the back of the net early in extra-time.
Now, however, reports suggest that the Real Madrid star could be suspended for what has been described as an "X-rated" gesture after celebrating his goal.
?? Jude Bellingham'in attigi golden sonra Slovakya kulübesine yaptigi hareket! pic.twitter.com/PQyk1P3rSp
— 343 Digital (@343_digital) June 30, 2024
The midfielder's gesture was suggested to have been aimed at the Slovakia bench, with his face directed at the benches while kissing the inside of his hand and positioning it in front of his groin, where he moved it back and forth.
While some consider Bellingham's gesture to have been an offensive one aimed at the opponents' dugout, the player himself has since taken to social media to state that this was not the case.
"An inside joke gesture towards some close friends who were at the game," the LALIGA star wrote on X.
"Nothing but respect for how that Slovakia team played tonight."
Despite his attempt to explain the gesture, however, Portuguese newspaper A Bola, via the Daily Mail, reports that UEFA may yet determine his actions to be worthy of a one-match ban.
The Three Lions are set to meet Switzerland in the quarter-finals on Saturday, but it is claimed that the union's disciplinary body are in the process of reviewing Bellingham's case.
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This suggests that there is a possibility England might be without their hero for their next clash.