ENGLAND savior Jude Bellingham could escape a fine for his groin goal celebrations – thanks to footage from an El Clasico.
The FA will argue that the playmaker made a similar gesture after finding the back of the net in Real Madrid’s 3-2 victory over Barcelona in April – proving that Sunday’s display was not a criticism aimed at the Slovakian team.
Bellingham was banned for the antics after his 95th-minute bicycle equalizer was directed towards the rival dugout.
He swore it was a private joke with friends and that the Slovak national team does not demand charges.
This means he will be fined five figures, leaving him free to play the rest of the tournament, according to German newspaper Bild.
Fans hope footage from El Clasico – the name of any clash between Spain’s top teams – will help free him.
Factory worker Ryan Walker, 32, from Birmingham, said: “He shouldn’t be banned at all.”
Former Arsenal hero Paul Merson added: “It was just a throw – I don’t see much wrong with it.”
The Three Lions face Switzerland in tomorrow’s quarter-finals in Dusseldorf.
Bellingham wouldn’t be the first star to face a financial penalty for a throwing gesture.
In 2019, Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone was fined £17,000 for a similar fine during his team’s 2-0 win over Juventus. Later, Cristiano Ronaldo was instructed to pay 20 thousand euros for imitating him.
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