SUPERSTAR Jude Bellingham has defended his groin-grab goal celebration as “an inside joke” and denied making fun of plucky Slovakia. The Three Lions’ saviour could be ruled out of Saturday’s quarter-final against Switzerland if Uefa decide he breached “basic rules of decent conduct”. But Bellingham explained on social media: “An inside joke towards some close friends who were at the game.
“Nothing but respect for how that Slovakia team played tonight.” Moments after his astonishing 95th-minute bicycle kick strike spared England’s blushes, the Real Madrid ace was seen on TV making a hand gesture next to his crotch. It was believed that Jude was signalling he has what it takes to overcome a crisis — though some believed it was an insult aimed at the opposition bench.
Harry Kane’s extra-time header sealed England’s 2-1 win on Sunday evening . Early yesterday, Gareth Southgate’s team were assured no disciplinary measures were being considered over the gesture. But Uefa then did a U-turn — despite the gesture not being mentioned in any match reports made by the officials.
Fans reacted in fury with Max Veltman, 43, of Birmingham, saying: “It’s nonsense. It wasn’t offensive and Jude said so himself. Have Uefa got nothing better to do? “We’ve got no chance without Jude so we need to pray Uefa don’t ban him.
” Sam Eversden, 45, from Uxbridge, West London, added: “Are Uefa policing goal celebrations now? “If they want to crack down on cond.
