England midfielder Jude Bellingham was involved in a heated exchange with Argentina substitute Valentin Barco following the World Cup semi-final clash between the two nations.

Bellingham looked heartbroken at full-time after England were defeated 2-1 by Argentina in the semi-final of the World Cup. The Real Madrid star had been instrumental in leading the Three Lions close to their first final appearance since 1966, but Lionel Messi and his teammates dashed those hopes.

Unlike his standout performances against Mexico and Norway in earlier knockout rounds, Bellingham struggled to influence the game this time. Tempers flared after the final whistle, leading to an unpleasant confrontation on the pitch.

Bellingham became embroiled in an altercation with Argentina’s Valentin Barco, who was joyfully celebrating with his teammates near the England midfielder. The 23-year-old approached Barco and appeared to slap the Argentine full-back, sparking a brief scuffle between the players of both sides.

The cause of the incident remains uncertain, though Barco had earlier sprinted onto the pitch to celebrate his team’s 85th-minute equaliser right in front of the England players. That act seemed to irritate several England stars, with John Stones seen pushing Barco away. However, Bellingham’s slap could now result in disciplinary consequences.

FIFA’s disciplinary committee may review the incident for violent conduct, which could lead to a suspension and a fine. If punished, Bellingham would miss England’s third-place play-off against France on Saturday—a match that already feels largely insignificant.

The larger concern for England is that FIFA could impose a more severe sanction, potentially extending to future international tournaments. Yet, there is also a chance that the governing body may deem the act more petulant than violent, given the minimal force involved, allowing Bellingham to escape without penalty.

FIFA has previously shown leniency towards high-profile players. Notably, USA striker Folarin Balogun’s red card suspension was controversially lifted before the round-of-16 match against Belgium, reportedly after a direct appeal from then-President Donald Trump to FIFA President Gianni Infantino. Similarly, Cristiano Ronaldo once had a suspension overturned to ensure he could feature in Portugal’s opening two World Cup fixtures.

How FIFA ultimately interprets Bellingham’s confrontation with Barco remains to be seen. For now, England will be hoping that the fallout from their disappointing night in Atlanta does not extend beyond the result itself.