Jude Bellingham WILL maintain he meant no offence by his X-rated gesture in England's win vs Slovakia - as UEFA write to the Real Madrid star asking him to explain the action within next 72 hours, after launching disciplinary probe

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Jude Bellingham will maintain he meant no offence by the gesture that has landed him in hot water with UEFA.

European football's governing body have opened an investigation into the gesture during the win over Slovakia in which he pretended to grab his genitals.

UEFA have written to Bellingham to ask him to explain his actions with the England star having three days to respond.

The governing body will also write to the Slovakian FA for their reflections on the alleged offence. 

It is alleged that the gesture was made towards the Slovakian bench.

Jude Bellingham is set to maintain he meant no offence by an X-rated gesture made during England's win vs Slovakia

And it is understood Bellingham will stick to his assertions that the gesture was an 'inside joke'. 

After the game as footage emerged of the gesture, Bellingham tweeted: 'An inside joke gesture towards some close friends who were at the game. 

'Nothing but respect for how that Slovakia team played tonight.'

Bellingham had scored a sensational overhead bicycle kick to equalise for England and send the match to extra-time  

The England star took to X (formerly Twitter) to explain the gesture, saying it was an 'inside joke towards some close friends who were at the game'

There is no timeline as to when the investigation will be completed. 

If found guilty, Bellingham could theoretically face a ban but that scenario is deemed unlikely.