By Tom Gott
England midfielder Jude Bellingham is free to play in his side's Euro 2024 quarter-final against Switzerland after UEFA opted to hand down a suspended one-game ban for the Real Madrid star.
Bellingham was investigated after appearing to aim a crude gesture in the direction of the Slovakia bench during the dramatic last-16 tie between the two nations, with the 21-year-old insisting he was not trying to disrespect his opponents with a reference to an 'inside joke' with friends in the stands.
UEFA confirmed that they have punished Bellingham with a fine of €30,000 (£25,400) and a suspended one-game ban which will only be triggered if the midfielder commits a similar rule breach in the next 12 months.
It means Bellingham is free to play for England in Saturday's quarter-final clash with Switzerland, in a huge boost to manager Gareth Southgate's hopes of progressing.
The English FA have also been fined €11,000 (£9,300) for crowd disturbances and the lighting of fireworks during the game.
Reports suggest the FA's defence of Bellingham may have revolved around footage of the Real Madrid midfielder making the same gesture in El Clasico earlier this year as he celebrated a goal against Barcelona.
Bellingham is believed to have reiterated that the gesture was not targeted at his opponents and was simply a joke with his friends when questioned by UEFA, who have declined to hand down a strict punishment to the 21-year-old.
With Bellingham cleared to face Switzerland, he is expected to line up alongside Phil Foden as two attacking midfielders behind Harry Kane in a new-look 3-4-2-1 formation.
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This article was originally published on 90min.com as Jude Bellingham learns Euro 2024 ban fate after UEFA investigation.
