Gareth Southgate breaks silence over UEFA investigation into Jude Bellingham celebration against Slovakia

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Gareth Southgate breaks his silence on Jude Bellingham celebration
Bellingham escaped an immediate ban for the apparently obscene gesture

Gareth Southgate has finally broken his silence following UEFA’s investigation into Jude Bellingham’s controversial celebration against Slovakia.

Bellingham was handed a one-match suspended ban by UEFA and fined €30,000 (£25,000) on Friday for his controversial gesture – but was deemed eligible to play in England’s quarter-final against Switzerland.

European football’s governing body has opened an investigation into the gesture during the win over Slovakia on Sunday, when Bellingham pretended to touch his genitals.

UEFA has written to Bellingham asking him to explain his actions, while the organisation has also contacted the Slovak Football Association for its views on the alleged breach.

Now that UEFA has delivered its verdict on the incident, England manager Southgate has finally responded to the incident.

Gareth Southgate finally responds to UEFA investigation into Jude Bellingham

Bellingham appeared to make a forbidden gesture towards the Slovakia bench after scoring for England on Sunday – but UEFA have allowed him to play in their clash against Switzerland

Southgate said: “I thought it was a common sense decision.

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“It’s clear that when you score a goal of the quality he scored, at the moment he did it… you’re going to feel an incredible adrenaline rush.

“There was no intention other than to communicate with his family.”

Bellingham reportedly stood by his claims that the gesture was an “inside joke.”

After the game, as footage of the gesture was released, Bellingham tweeted: “Joking gesture to close friends who were at the game. Nothing but respect for the way the Slovakian team played tonight.”

However, Bellingham, 21, was fined and given a suspended one-match ban by UEFA.

After England’s early struggles in the tournament, Southgate is expected to switch to a three-man defence for their clash with Switzerland.

Southgate will be delighted to have the Real Madrid star available for the quarter-final clash

The England manager has been so reluctant to make changes so far that he has used just 13 different starting players in Germany, including 10 in all four matches.

But one change will be required at Southgate on Saturday due to the suspension of centre-back Marc Guehi.

Perhaps fearing that Guehi’s absence could leave England vulnerable against a dangerous Switzerland side, Southgate is considering picking an extra centre-back and reverting to the 3-4-3 formation he used throughout the 2018 World Cup in Russia, as well as against Germany and Italy at Euro 2020.