Jude Bellingham banned for one match for gesture during England’s win over Slovakia

Jude Bellingham has been banned for one match following a UEFA investigation into an offensive gesture towards the Slovakian bench in the round of 16 of the European Championship.

Bellingham will be available for England’s quarter-final match against Switzerland in Düsseldorf on Saturday. He was also fined €30,000, while the English Football Association was fined €11,000 for the use of fireworks and fan disorder during the Slovakia match.

On Monday, UEFA released a statement saying Bellingham was being investigated “due to a possible breach of basic rules of good conduct.” European football’s governing body had previously indicated that Bellingham was unlikely to face any punishment.

The 21-year-old scored the equalizer in the last minute, forcing extra time in the round of 16. Harry Kane then scored the winning goal, securing a place in the quarter-finals against Switzerland.

Bellingham appeared to make an offensive gesture towards the Slovakian bench after his goal in the 95th minute in Gelsenkirchen.

Bellingham scored the equalizer against Slovakia (Ina Fassbender/AFP via Getty Images)

He later claimed on social media that it was an “insider gesture” towards his close friends who were at the game. “Nothing but respect for the performance of the Slovakian team tonight,” he added.

According to the International Football Association Board (IFAB) Laws of the Game, any “obscene gesture” or “offensive or insulting act” should be punished with a red card.

England will will be without defender Marc Guehi for Saturday’s quarter-final after the centre-back received his second yellow card of the tournament in the round of 16 win over Slovakia. He will be available for the semi-final should England progress against Switzerland.

UEFA confirmed on Monday that no subsequent measures would be taken against Declan Rice for his post-match altercation with Slovakian coach Francesco Calzona.

The midfielder was pushed in the chest by Calzona after the Slovakian coach approached referee Umat Meler after the final whistle. Rice appeared ready to shake Calzona’s hand but reacted when the opposing coach shoved him.

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(Patricia De Melo Moreira/AFP via Getty Images)