Bellingham Suspended for Two Matches Over Verbal Abuse of Referee
The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) announced on Wednesday that Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham has been handed a two-match suspension for verbally abusing a referee during his team’s 1-1 draw against Osasuna in La Liga on Saturday.
Referee José Munuera Montero sent off the 21-year-old English international, believing he had directed offensive language toward him.
Although Bellingham and his coach, Carlo Ancelotti, argued that the referee had misinterpreted the situation, the RFEF’s disciplinary committee disagreed, imposing the suspension for “disrespect or contempt towards a referee.”
Real Madrid has announced its intention to appeal the decision in hopes of allowing Bellingham to play in the upcoming league matches against Girona and Real Betis.
The incident has sparked an unexpected debate in Spanish media regarding the translation and cultural interpretation of English profanity. It has also intensified tensions between Real Madrid and Spanish football authorities, as the club recently sent a formal complaint about what it described as “several unfair refereeing decisions.”
In response, the Spanish Football Federation issued a statement on Tuesday, stating that referees were outraged by the abuse directed at Montero following Bellingham’s red card.
