Jude Bellingham at risk of ban after gesture
Football star Jude Bellingham is facing the possibility of disciplinary action after repeating a controversial celebrate-gesture during the recent “El Clásico” in which Real Madrid defeated FC Barcelona 2-1. He scored the winning goal and stood out on the pitch, but the attention quickly shifted to his post-goal celebration. According to reports, cameras caught Bellingham directing a gesture toward his crotch while sticking out his tongue a move very similar to one that previously resulted in punishment.
That earlier incident occurred during UEFA Euro 2024 when Bellingham made the same gesture after scoring for the England national football team, an act that drew a fine of €30,000 and a suspended one-match ban from UEFA for “violating the basic rules of decent conduct”.
In the recent match for Real Madrid, the gesture has raised “risk of punishment” flags, as Spanish authorities and league officials could decide to investigate and impose sanctions under the rules of conduct in the league. While his previous UEFA ban has expired, the repeat nature of the incident means he may face fresh action in Spain.
His performance in the game remains excellent he assisted Kylian Mbappé’s opener and scored the deciding goal, underlining his importance to his club. But the celebration controversy threatens to overshadow his on-field achievements.
Should the league decide to impose a ban, it may impact his availability for upcoming fixtures and raise questions about discipline and club image. For Bellingham, among the highest-profile players in world football, managing his conduct off the ball may prove as important as his performance on it.
