UEFA charges Denmark forward Nicklas Bendtner for sponsored underwear stunt at Euro 2012

Friday, Jun 15, 2012 07:30 am | The Associated Press

Denmark's forward Nicklas Bendtner holds the ball during a training session of Denmark at the Euro 2012 soccer championship in Kolobrzeg, Poland, Friday, June 15, 2012. Denmark will face Germany in their last Group B match next Sunday in Lviv.(AP Photo/Michael Probst)

WARSAW, Poland - UEFA charged Denmark forward Nicklas Bendtner with improper conduct on Friday for revealing an unofficial sponsor's name on his underpants while celebrating a goal at the European Championship.

Bendtner is suspected of breaking Law 4 of football regarding players' kit and equipment, UEFA said in a statement. The football body's disciplinary panel will deal with the case Monday.

The striker lifted his shirt and lowered his shorts slightly, revealing the name of a betting firm across the top of his underpants, after scoring his second goal in a 3-2 loss against Portugal on Wednesday.

UEFA tournament rules for Euro 2012 also bar any sponsor advertising on players' kit.

Earlier Friday, Bendtner flashed his fresh, regulation-friendly black underpants at training, which should keep him within team and UEFA guidelines.

Bendtner got a dressing down from the Danish Football Association on Thursday for flouting team policy. The association has official ties to a rival gambling company.

Danish team officials have told Bendtner he must abide by rules with his match-day underwear when Denmark plays Germany in the final round of Group B matches on Sunday in Lviv, Ukraine. Germany tops the group with six points while Denmark and Portugal both have three. The Netherlands is last with zero points.

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