Jude Bellingham free to face Switzerland

Jude Bellingham is free to play in England’s Euro 2024 quarter-final with Switzerland tomorrow after receiving a fine and a suspended one-game ban from UEFA.

The Real Madrid midfielder was investigated for a “potential violation of the basic rules of decent conduct” after making a gesture near his crotch following his stunning overhead kick against Slovakia on Sunday.

Bellingham’s goal deep into injury time rescued England from elimination and the Three Lions went on to win 2-1 thanks to a Harry Kane header at the start of extra time.

🥱❌- 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

The 21-year-old stressed afterwards his actions were not directed at the Slovakia coaching staff but UEFA took a dim view, handing him a one-game ban, suspended for a year, and a €30,000 fine. 

There was precedence for UEFA issuing a fine with both Diego Simeone and Cristiano Ronaldo handed the same punishment for similar gestures in the 2019 Champions League clash between Atletico Madrid and Juventus.

Bellingham’s availability will come as a major boost for beleaguered manager Gareth Southgate as he looks for an improved performance from his team in Dusseldorf.

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Southgate is considering ditching the 4-2-3-1 formation he has utilised thus far in Germany after four sub-standard displays from England.

Instead, he is believed to be inching towards three at the back, which would mean Bellingham and Phil Foden operating as number 10s behind captain Harry Kane.

Although Bellingham has been a long way from his best in Germany, he has scored two of England’s four goals having also netted in the 1-0 defeat of Serbia.