Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice are set to avoid bans in a huge boost to England’s Euro 2024 hopes.
Both players were involved in controversial incidents towards the end of the Three Lions’ dramatic victory over Slovakia on Sunday.
Real Madrid superstar Bellingham appeared to make a lewd gesture, while Rice had to be held back by his teammates after he became involved in a spat with Slovakia’s manager.
UEFA were awaiting the official report of the match referee and retain the power to suspend both players from Saturday’s quarter final against Switzerland.
According to Mail Sport, however, the European governing body are unlikely to sanction the two England midfielders who will both be free to start this weekend.
Real Madrid superstar Bellingham was initially accused of provoking the Slovakian coaching team and substitutes, but the midfielder insists the gesture was aimed at a group of friends sitting in the stands.
In a response to the video on X, Bellingham wrote: ‘An inside joke gesture towards some close friends who were at the game. Nothing but respect for how that Slovakia team played tonight.’
The laws of the game indicate any ‘obscene gesture’ or ‘offensive or insulting action’ should be punishable by a red card, but the 20-year-old appears certain to avoid any significant sanctions.
Rice, meanwhile, became involved in altercation with Slovakia’s head coach after the final whistle and was shoved by Francesco Calzona.
‘I had to speak to the referees and he was carrying on, continuing to speak. Then he apologised and it all ended there.’
After the game, Rice jumped to the defence of under-fire manager Gareth Southgate who has encountered fierce criticism throughout the tournament.
The Three Lions boss was again castigated on Sunday for his conservative substitutions and unwillingness to take off high-profile players who were underperforming.
‘We’ve got a togetherness, we proved that tonight,’ Rice told BBC Sport. ‘We’d do anything to protect this manager, protect each other.
‘We’ll keep going and keep fighting and what we’ve got as a group tonight showed out there. It’s an honour to be a part of it and we’re going to give it everything.’