England midfielder Jude Bellingham has been given a one-match suspended ban and a fine of £25,400 by Uefa for making a crotch-grabbing gesture toward the Slovakian bench during their Euro 2024 last-16 match. Bellingham, who scored the equaliser in the 2-1 victory, claimed that it was an “inside-joke gesture towards some close friends who were at the game” and that he had “nothing but respect for how Slovakia played”. Manager Gareth Southgate supported the decision, claiming that there was no intent in the gesture towards anyone other than communication he had with his family.
Bellingham will be available to play in England’s quarter-final match against Switzerland on Saturday, having started all four of England’s Euro 2024 matches so far, scoring two goals. The match will be live on BBC One, BBC Radio 5 Live and the BBC Sport website and app. All 26 players in manager Southgate’s squad trained on Friday morning.
In contrast, Turkey defender Merih Demiral has received a two-match ban for making a ‘wolf salute’ gesture during his side’s last-16 win against Austria. The gesture is associated with the far-right extremist group Grey Wolves, which is closely linked with Turkey’s ruling coalition party the National Movement Party. The fine of £9,310 was issued to the Football Association for crowd issues involving England supporters, with £1,000 for lighting fireworks and £10,000 for crowd disturbances.
Therefore, the Turkish side will face the Netherlands in Berlin, while England will play Switzerland in Dusseldorf, both matches on Saturday
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