England supporters breathed a collective sigh of relief earlier today, with it being announced that Jude Bellingham would be available for the nation's Euro 2024 quarter-final against Switzerland tomorrow.
The 21-year old had been under investigation from UEFA due to a gesture he made in the aftermath of England's victory over Slovakia on Sunday, a game in which Bellingham scored a last gasp equaliser to send the contest to extra-time. Gareth Southgate's side would go on to win the match 2-1.
Footage emerged soon after the final whistle of Bellingham making a lewd gesture on the pitch, with some speculating that it was directed towards the Slovakian bench of supporters.
Jude Bellinghams gesture to the Slovakian bench after he scored 👊🇸🇰🏴 pic.twitter.com/qwlUSa7Ocs
— Football Fights (@footbalIfights) June 30, 2024
However, the player himself would deny this on social media, insisting that it was 'an inside joke gesture towards some close friends who were at the game'.
Despite this explanation, UEFA did feel that the incident was worth of punishment.
Jude Bellingham was given a one-game ban, although this was suspended for 12 months on the condition that he does not offend again during that time period. The player was also fined €30,000, but the suspended ban means that he is free to play against the Swiss.
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Questions asked after Jude Bellingham avoids Euro 2024 ban
Jude Bellingham was not the only player punished today, with Turkish star Merih Demiral being handed a two-game ban for his goal celebration during his side's victory over Austria in the last-16.
The player will now miss their Euro 2024 quarter-final against the Netherlands, as well as a potential semi-final should his side make it that far. The 'wolf' gesture in question is said to be related to the ultra-nationalist far right movement in Turkey.
🇹🇷 Ne mutlu Türküm diyene! pic.twitter.com/4K3kVPFxgW
— Merih Demiral (@Merihdemiral) July 2, 2024
While these two offences are not identical in nature, it has led to some questions as to why one player received a suspended ban and the other did not.
Clearly, UEFA felt that the actions of Jude Bellingham were worthy of a suspension. However, they opted again ruling him out of tomorrow's game.
That has naturally led to some questions about the process to reach that decision, most notably among Turkish supporters.
Bellingham and Demiral both made gestures. Why is one suspended for two games while the other is fined? pic.twitter.com/MS6Gl7oogq
— Berneese (@the_berneese_) July 4, 2024
UEFA have decided on disciplinary action... 👨⚖️
Bellingham: no immediate match ban + €30,000 fine.
Demiral: 2 game ban with immediate effect, not available for game vs Netherlands and if they proceed.
Makes sense…😂 pic.twitter.com/JyWXO4Zb5d— Out Of Context Euro2024 (@NoContextEPL) July 5, 2024
Demiral gets a 2 match ban with immediate effect, but Jude Bellingham gets suspended 1 game AND is even allowed to decide which game he can’t play.
But then again, it’s UEFA. The same ones who quickly suspended Russia but won’t apply the same sanctions to Israel genocidal state. https://t.co/V2zrB6DdD4— Leyla Hamed (@leylahamed) July 5, 2024
Can UEFA just announce that England & the EPL own them?
-Change rules so Man Utd & City can play
-Allow EPL clubs to swap unknown kids for €40m while banning others for same
-Euro 2020 & Euro 2028 hosts
-Unprecedented suspended ban for Bellingham while Demiral gets 2 game ban https://t.co/NS7VMpGvNd— Carlo Garganese (@carlogarganese) July 5, 2024
You can image that Switzerland fans will certainly question the decision to allow Jude Bellingham to feature in their quarter-final clash against England.
It will be interesting to see what sort of impact he ends up having on the game.
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