UEFA have launched a ‘disciplinary investigation’ into Jude Bellingham’s post-match actions on Sunday. The probe comes after the Real Madrid midfielder, who scored a stunning 95th-minute overhead kick to salvage a draw for the Three Lions, was seen making an apparent inappropriate gesture towards the Slovakia bench.

Bellingham took to social media to clarify that the gesture was an inside joke aimed at close friends in the stands, adding his respect for the Slovakian team’s performance. Despite this, UEFA will investigate the 21-year-old for a potential breach of the ‘basic rules of decent conduct.’

The gesture occurred after Bellingham’s late equalizer against Slovakia.

In a statement, UEFA said: ‘The UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body (CEDB) will decide on the matter in due course. Furthermore, a UEFA Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector will conduct a disciplinary investigation into a potential violation of the basic rules of decent conduct by Jude Bellingham, an England player, which allegedly occurred during the match.’

Any suspension would be a significant setback for Gareth Southgate and England, who have only managed four goals in four games at the Euros, with Bellingham responsible for half of those. This isn’t the first time such a gesture has been made in football. Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone made a similar gesture in the 2019 Champions League, later apologizing for it.

Cristiano Ronaldo replicated the gesture in the return leg, but escaped suspension, receiving only a €20,000 fine from UEFA for ‘improper conduct.’ Meanwhile, following Harry Kane’s extra-time winner, Declan Rice engaged in a heated exchange with Slovakia manager Francesco Calzone, requiring Aaron Ramsdale to restrain him. According to lip-reading expert Jeremy Freeman, Rice called the Italian manager a ‘bald ****.’

Bellingham was named Player of the Match in Gelsenkirchen.

Ronaldo was fined but not suspended for a similar gesture in 2019.

UEFA has no plans to charge the Arsenal midfielder, according to Mail Sport. The governing body also announced ‘disciplinary proceedings’ against the FA following crowd disturbances and the lighting of fireworks during the match. Slovakia manager Calzona revealed that his confrontation with Rice stemmed from his desire to complain about England’s time-wasting tactics in extra time.

Calzona stated, ‘Rice was supposed to go to the referees and leave. I needed to speak with the refs, but he wouldn’t leave.’ England already face a suspension concern with Marc Guehi, who will miss the next round after receiving a booking in Gelsenkirchen. The Crystal Palace defender’s second booking of the tournament means he will be unavailable for the July 6 fixture.

England, who are favorites to advance, will need to raise their game to beat a Swiss side that impressed in their round-of-16 victory over Italy. With or without Bellingham, the Three Lions will have to deliver their best performance of the tournament to progress to the next stage.