Yahoo News Alan Shearer makes Jude Bellingham plea ahead of England's Euro 2024 quarter-final
Alan Shearer has defended Jude Bellingham as the former Birmingham City star faces a UEFA investigation.
The pundit and ex-England striker has backed the Three Lions talisman after he got into hot water celebrating his last-gasp equaliser against Slovakia on Sunday. That celebration led to the governing body exploring a ‘potential violation of the basic rules of decent conduct'.
Bellingham has claimed the celebration was an in-joke with friends and England are confident the 21-year-old will be available to play Switzerland in the quarter-finals on Saturday. Shearer certainly thinks that’s what should happen.
READ MORE: Wayne Rooney addresses Birmingham City 'consequences' at Plymouth Argyle unveiling
READ: Chris Davies raids Tottenham to add another coach to Birmingham City staff
“He put a statement out saying it was towards friends in the stand and we have to take his word for that,” Shearer told Betfair “He’s still young, put yourself in his position, you have just rescued your country with 30 seconds to go, you are a young boy, playing at the highest level, I mean come on.
“You have to have a bit of leeway, imagine the emotions and adrenaline that must have been running through his body at that time. Goodness me, you have just got to understand and appreciate what players are going through at that time, the excitement and everything that goes with it. You can’t hold it against him at all.
“His words in the press conference afterwards when he said it might shut a few people up, I get the siege mentality that they are wanting to create. But the bottom line is they haven’t been playing well and they did get lucky. It was his piece of magic that got England back into the game.”
