Jude Bellingham is set to participate in England’s Euro 2024 quarter-final clash against Switzerland on Saturday after receiving a one-match suspended ban and a monetary penalty for a gesture made during the last-16 match against Slovakia.
The 21-year-old’s suspension has been postponed for a year, and he has been fined £25,400 (30,000 Euros). Bellingham’s crotch-grabbing gesture towards the Slovakian bench following his late equalizer in the 2-1 victory was subject to a UEFA investigation. Despite making a similar gesture while playing for Real Madrid, Bellingham claimed it was not directed at the Slovakian team.
On social media, Bellingham clarified that the gesture was an “inside joke” for close friends present at the game, expressing his respect for Slovakia’s performance. He has started in all four of England’s Euro 2024 matches, contributing two of England’s four goals, including the dramatic 95th-minute equalizer against Slovakia.
England will face Switzerland in Dusseldorf at 17:00 BST, with live coverage on BBC One, BBC Radio 5 Live, and the BBC Sport website and app. All 26 players in Gareth Southgate’s squad participated in Friday morning’s training session.
The Football Association has been fined £9,310 (11,000 euros) due to issues involving England supporters. This includes a 10,000 euros fine for crowd disturbances and an additional 1,000 euros for the use of fireworks.
While Bellingham is available for England’s next match, Turkey’s defender Merih Demiral has been issued a two-match ban for a gesture made during Turkey’s last-16 victory over Austria.
The 26-year-old, who scored both goals in Turkey’s 2-1 win, celebrated his second goal with a ‘wolf salute’, a gesture linked to the far-right extremist group Grey Wolves, which is banned in Austria and France.
Turkey will face the Netherlands in Berlin, with the game commencing at 20:00.