UEFA have confirmed that England’s Jude Bellingham has been charged for performing an offensive gesture in the Euro round of 16 match against Slovakia, along with a €30,000 fine. However, the ban is not as simple as it may seem.

🚨 UEFA confirm Jude Bellingham has been given a suspended one-match ban after his celebration.

❗️ Bellingham’s suspension is valid for a year so he will be able to play against Switzerland.

He’s also been fined for €30k. pic.twitter.com/hQIefJlHYK

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 5, 2024

Why Has Bellingham Been Banned?

After scoring a crucial injury time overhead kick in the round of 16, which took the game to extra time. Bellingham appeared to make a gesture, in which he kissed his hand and signalled to his crotch, toward the Slovakian technical area.

After a clip of the gesture circulated the internet, the Real Madrid star took to twitter to share his explanation of the gesture. Bellingham claimed the gesture was not meant to offend anyone, but was rather an inside joke between friends.

🥱❌- An inside joke gesture towards some close friends who were at the game. Nothing but respect for how that Slovakia team played tonight.🤝🏽 https://t.co/H8sETMkPoi

— Jude Bellingham (@BellinghamJude) June 30, 2024

UEFA announced that they had opened an investigation “regarding a potential violation of the basic rules of decent conduct”, and came to the decision that the gesture was offensive, leading to handing the midfielder a one-match ban.

Is Bellingham Available to Play Against Switzerland?

Jude Bellingham will be available for England’s crucial quarter-final crash against Switzerland. Because Bellingham’s suspension is valid for a year, England’s number ten can serve his ban in any UEFA match over the next twelve months.

It’s very unlikely that England would choose to have Bellingham serve his ban in any match in the current Euro’s campaign.

When Will Bellingham Serve His Suspension?

It’s currently unknown when exactly Bellingham will serve his one-match suspension. It’s likely this will be during England’s Nations League games in September and October, equally he could possibly serve the suspension in one of Champions League group stage games next year.

I think the most likely scenario is that Bellingham will miss England’s Nations League clash with Ireland in September.