A provocative celebration, Bellingham now faces a severe penalty

Jude Bellingham is under threat of punishment following his offensive behavior during Real Madrid’s 2-1 win against Barcelona at El Clásico, even though he netted the winning goal.

Real Madrid’s 2-1 triumph over Barcelona in last weekend’s El Clásico solidified their position at the top of La Liga, but the joy might be overshadowed by an incident involving Jude Bellingham. The English midfielder was seen making an inappropriate gesture during his celebration and now faces potential investigation and sanctions from the organizers.

Alongside praise for Bellingham’s outstanding performance, one off-field moment has drawn criticism. During his celebration, the English player was caught on camera gesturing towards his groin and sticking out his tongue, an act considered disrespectful and provocative.

Notably, this is not Bellingham’s first time in trouble for such behavior. At Euro 2024, he made the same gesture during England’s 2-1 victory over Slovakia. That action led UEFA to fine him £25,000 and impose a conditional one-match suspension, which only recently expired.

According to Spanish media, La Liga may review the incident and decide on disciplinary measures depending on its severity. In the past, Real Madrid players have faced similar controversies. In 2019, Gareth Bale was accused of provoking Atletico Madrid fans but ultimately avoided punishment. Bellingham likely hopes for a similar outcome.

Not only Bellingham, but Spanish football has recently seen several similar incidents. Barcelona’s coach Hansi Flick was once sent off for a rude gesture during a win against Girona and later publicly apologized. Meanwhile, former Real Madrid star Cristiano Ronaldo was banned for one match and fined for provoking fans in the Saudi Pro League.

Despite the controversy, Bellingham appeared excited after the match. Speaking to the media, he said:

“We have been waiting for this match for a long time. After several losses to Barcelona last season, the whole team was determined to win. This is the result of collective effort.”

On Instagram, he posted a celebration photo with the caption: “Words mean nothing. Hala Madrid Siempre!!!”

Coach Xabi Alonso later praised his player: “He has had three excellent matches. We knew Bellingham needed time to adapt, and now he is exceeding expectations.”

Although the form of punishment is unclear, the incident serves as a reminder to Bellingham to better control his emotions, especially as he is becoming a new icon for Real Madrid and English football.