JUDE BELLINGHAM COULD FACE PUNISHMENT AFTER CONTROVERSIAL GESTURE RESURFACES AGAIN
Jude Bellingham faces a potential ban after making an X-rated gesture during Real Madrid's 2-1 El Clásico win over Barcelona. The England star previously faced a UEFA fine for a similar gesture at Euro 2024.
Bellingham during El Clásico - Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
After Jude Bellingham was seen making an X-rated gesture during Real Madrid's 2-1 El Clásico triumph over Barcelona, he may be banned.
At the Bernabeu, Madrid defeated their fierce rivals thanks to the English midfielder's game-winning goal.
Fermin Lopez equalised for Barcelona after Kylian Mbappe opened the scoring for Xabi Alonso's team. Madrid took all three points as Bellingham's goal just before halftime put them ahead and turned out to be the game-winning goal.
Both Barcelona midfielder Pedri and Madrid replacement Andriy Lunin were sent off as the game came to a head.
Bellingham was observed making tongue-out gestures toward his crotch during the game.
He got into problems for a similar gesture following England's 2-1 triumph over Slovakia at Euro 2024 the previous year.
In addition to a suspended one-match penalty that has already ended, UEFA fined him £25,000.
Gareth Bale's offensive gesture against Atletico Madrid in 2019 is not the first time a Real Madrid player has been embroiled in a similar issue.
Bellingham will pray that he suffers the same fate as the Welshman did.
During Barcelona's victory over Girona, manager Hansi Flick was recently given a second yellow card for making an offensive gesture.
The German manager stated after the game that he would need to "alter his conduct" for his grandchildren.
While playing for Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League, former Real Madrid player Cristiano Ronaldo was fined and banned from one game for "provoking" supporters with a gesture akin to Bellingham's.
Bellingham was thrilled to defeat Barcelona at last, but he will have to wait to find out if he will be punished.
Last season, the Catalan team won all five of their meetings, including the Supercopa de España and Copa del Rey finals.
"We were definitely looking forward to this game," Bellingham stated. We were anticipating this and needed to win because we knew we had lost to them several times throughout the previous season.
"This victory was the result of a collective effort. Militao, Huijsen, Carreras, Fede, and Carvajal were all excellent defensive players.
Madrid's victory put them five points ahead of Barcelona in La Liga.
"Talk is cheap," he captioned his Instagram image after that. "¡HAL MADRID SIEMPRE!"
Xabi Alonso, the head coach of Real Madrid, also praised his effort.
"He has had three very nice games," the Spanish manager stated.
"We were aware that he required minutes to get rolling before the most recent break.
"After the last break, he performed better than we anticipated. Jude is all about connecting, feeling, and talking.
"He has had some really fantastic games because of that."
Bellingham will be hopeful that his impressive Real Madrid performances will earn him a recall after being left out of Thomas Tuchel's most recent England team. The Three Lions will play Serbia and Albania later this month.
DISCIPLINARY BLOW: MADRID PLAYER SUSPENDED POST EL CLáSICO TUSSLE
Real Madrid's backup keeper Andriy Lunin has been handed a one-game suspension by the RFEF for his aggressive conduct on the bench during the heated final moments of El Clásico. Real Madrid's appeal was rejected.
El Clásico Scuffle - Photo Credit Getty Images
Los Blancos' goalie Andriy Lunin has been suspended for one game by the RFEF Disciplinary Committee for his involvement in the sideline dramas during the El Clásico's final moments. Although the cameras did not catch it, referee Soto Grado did record that he had sent the Ukrainian off.
According to Mundo Deportivo, the RFEF responded as follows when asked why Lunin received a red card.
The reason for Lunin, Andrii's expulsion in the 90th minute was that he had to be restrained by his teammates after he walked aggressively from his bench to the blonde bench.
The disciplinary committee of the RFEF
"When considered significant, those whose behaviour violates sporting order will be suspended for four to ten games or fined between 602 and 3,006 euros."
Because of Lunin's actions, which constituted a minor violation of the sporting order, he was suspended for one game. The ruling had been challenged by Real Madrid. However, the RFEF stayed steadfast, defending the referee's ruling and the evidence in the match report and on film.
Now, the backup goalie will not play against Valencia this weekend, where he is probably going to be benched. Fran Gonzalez and Sunico, both from the youth team, might be called up as the matchday squad's third choice, with Sergio Mestre serving as a backup.
No Barcelona players or any other Real Madrid players were slapped with bans following the two flash moments in the closing stages of the game. When Vinicius Jr. and Lamie Yamal argued, even players who were not on the team were spotted shoving on the side of the field. The RFEF, however, determined that nothing that came to pass would justify further prohibitions.
ARSENAL STAR DROPS CONFIDENT TITLE HINT AFTER STRONG OPENING
Arsenal star Bukayo Saka is targeting a historic Premier League and World Cup double with England this season. The winger believes it's a "doable" feat as the Gunners lead the title race.
Bukayo Saka - (Image: David Price/Arsenal FC)
According to Bukayo Saka, it is feasible for Arsenal and England to win both games this season. The season has started well for the Gunners under Mikel Arteta's leadership.
Arsenal leads the Premier League standings by four points at the moment and is starting to look like a title contender. Manchester City is only one point ahead of defending champions Liverpool, who are seven points behind.
Saka, however, is not only interested in winning at his club; he also hopes to succeed internationally. Manager Thomas Tuchel has stated that winning the trophy is his ambition for England, who have qualified for the World Cup in the USA next year.
Saka is optimistic about his club's and his nation's chances of winning. "Yeah, that is my prayer," he remarked in an interview with Sky Sports. It is possible, of course.