Bellingham faces possible ban after lewd gesture in El Clasico victory over Barca

Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham could face disciplinary action after being caught on camera making a lewd gesture during his side’s 2-1 win over Barcelona in El Clásico on Sunday. 

The England international, who scored the match-winning goal, celebrated by pointing toward his crotch and sticking out his tongue, a move similar to the one that landed him in trouble at Euro 2024.

The 22-year-old’s performance was once again pivotal as Real Madrid extended their lead at the top of La Liga to five points.

Kylian Mbappé opened the scoring for Los Blancos before Barcelona’s Fermin Lopez equalized, but Bellingham’s strike just before half-time sealed the victory at the Santiago Bernabeu. 

However, post-match celebrations were overshadowed by the controversial gesture, which was quickly shared across social media, reigniting debates about player conduct.

Bellingham’s antics mirror those from Euro 2024, when he was fined £25,000 and given a suspended one-match ban by UEFA for the same gesture after scoring for England against Slovakia. 

While UEFA’s sanctions do not extend to domestic competitions, both La Liga and the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) are reportedly reviewing the incident to determine if further punishment is warranted.

Real Madrid head coach Xabi Alonso has publicly praised Bellingham’s recent form but may now face the prospect of losing his star midfielder to suspension. 

“He’s had three very good games. Jude is all about energy and connection, and we’re seeing the best version of him again.” Alonso said after the match.

A ban or fine could come as an unwelcome distraction for Real Madrid as they prepare for a demanding run of fixtures, including a clash with Valencia on November 1.

As of now, no official statement has been released by the league, but the episode has sparked widespread debate across Spain.

While Real Madrid’s legal team is expected to argue that the gesture was made in jest, the controversy threatens to overshadow another impressive display from the Englishman.