England boost as Declan Rice won’t face punishment for row with Slovakia boss.. but Jude Bellingham will be investigated
DECLAN RICE will NOT face a ban following his row with Slovakia’s manager… but Jude Bellingham is under investigation.
England squeezed into the quarter-finals after a tense 2-1 extra-time win.
They only earned a spot in extra-time after Bellingham scored a stunning overhead kick in the 95th minute.
But during his celebrations, the Real Madrid star was captured by TV cameras putting his hand under his genitals in a move that signalled he has what it takes in a crisis.
It was a gesture that was repeated by Spanish journalists discussing Bellingham in Cologne before their side’s win over Georgia, as they suggested he had imprinted his Real Madrid DNA into the England camp.
However, after Bellingham – who turned 21 on Saturday – was accused of disrespecting his opponents, he revealed the gesture was in fact a joke aimed towards close friends who were at the game.
He wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter: “An inside joke gesture towards some close friends who were at the game. Nothing but respect for how that Slovakia team played tonight.”
Bellingham also included a yawning, ‘X’ and handshake emoji alongside his post.
Despite early suggestions Bellingham would not face disciplinary action from Euro chiefs, they have now made a stunning U-turn.
It is understood that there have been no mentions of the gesture in any of the match reports made by Uefa officials.
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And Nyon insiders hinted that there was no expectation of anything changing, meaning Bellingham should be clear to feature in Saturday’s last eight clash in Dusseldorf.
Meanwhile, at the full-time whistle, Rice was involved in a heated bust-up with Slovakia boss Francesco Calzona that led to him having to be held back by Aaron Ramsdale.
Calzona said the spat came from Rice refusing to move away when he wanted to speak to the referee, leading to him shoving the Arsenal midfielder away.
He said: “Rice was supposed to go to the referees and leave. I had to speak to the refs and he wasn’t leaving, he carried on. But then he apologised and it was all fine.”
The 25-year-old is also unlikely to face any repercussions for the clash.
And it means that, barring injury, the key pair should be available to face Switzerland in the quarter-final next Saturday.
The Swiss booked their spot after beating 2021 champions Italy 2-0.
The best of England vs Slovakia
CHECK out all the best action from England's rollercoaster Euro 2024 last-16 win over Slovakia.
