Does Jude Bellingham deserve suspension for his obscene gesture toward the Slovakian bench?
According to the International Football Association Board’s rules, which emphasize any “obscene gesture” or “offensive or insulting action,” technically, yes. It should’ve resulted in a red card and a game suspension.
But after closer inspection, UEFA declared Bellingham’s actions less severe, closer to silliness than seriousness.
“An inside joke gesture towards some close friends who were at the game. Nothing but respect for how that Slovakia team played tonight,” published Bellingham on X.
The simple apology seemed to work.
The 21-year-old England international scored an overhead stoppage-time equalizer, giving the Three Lions a lifeline in an uneventful performance up to that point. Harry Kane scored the go-ahead goal in extra time to seal England’s Round of 16 victory.
And thanks to UEFA’s leniency, Bellingham can suit up against Switzerland in the quarterfinal on Saturday. All the midfielder faces is a hefty $32,500 fine and a future one-match ban to be used in a year.
Meanwhile, Turkey‘s center-back and Round of 16 two-goal hero Merih Demiral, will miss his team’s next two matches, including the quarterfinal match against Holland, after his ultranationalist ‘wolf’s salute’ gesture.
Should Bellingham have received a harsher sentence for his provocative behavior?
Photo: x/bellinghamjude + IG/judebellingham
