FOOTAGE has resurfaced proving Jude Bellingham did his controversial England celebration months ago with Real Madrid.
The Three Lions star faces a ban for the X-rated gesture performed after netting a last-gasp equaliser in Sunday’s 2-1 Euros win over Slovakia.
Bellingham saved Gareth Southgate’s side from a last-16 exit with a magnificent overhead kick just 90 seconds before full-time.
The goal sent the game to extra time, and England set up a quarter-final tie with Switzerland thanks to a timely header from Harry Kane.
However, Bellingham courted controversy as he performed a bizarre celebration in the wake of his strike.
The ace appeared to gesture grabbing his crotch, with some claiming it was made in the direction of Slovakia’s bench.
Bellingham has denied the accusation, claiming: “It was an inside joke gesture towards some close friends who were at the game.”
He added: “Nothing but respect for how that Slovakia team played tonight.”
Despite pleading his innocence, Bellingham now faces a Uefa probe and could end up being banned from Saturday’s last-eight fixture against the Swiss.
However, it has now emerged that Bellingham has performed the same celebration before, indicating that it was indeed an inside joke for friends and not a spur-of-the-moment incident.
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The midfielder did the exact same gesture when he netted a late winner in Real Madrid’s 3-2 El Clasico victory against Barcelona.
And he will be hoping it is enough to see him spared by Uefa ahead of the weekend.
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A statement from the football chiefs confirmed an investigation is underway today for a “potential violation of the basic rules of decent conduct.”
But Uefa’s decision was blasted by former England star and BBC host Gary Lineker.
He tweeted: “For crying out loud, the Euro celebration police are looking into Jude Bellingham. Ridiculous!”
Previously, Uefa fined Diego Simeone £17,000 for a similar gesture during Atletico Madrid’s 2-0 Champions League win over Juventus in February 2019.
The following month, Cristiano Ronaldo mocked Simeone with the same celebration as his hat-trick saw Juve overcome their first-leg defeat against Atleti.
He was fined a similar fee, but neither man received a ban for their actions.
