Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham has been slapped with a two-game suspension following his red card during the club’s 1-1 La Liga draw against Osasuna on Saturday.
The 21-year-old England international was sent off in the 39th minute after referee Jose Luis Munuera alleged that Bellingham directed an expletive towards him, stating the midfielder said “f* you.”**
The decision has been upheld by the Spanish Football Federation’s disciplinary committee, despite Real Madrid’s intent to appeal the ruling.
However, the ban only applies to domestic competitions, meaning Bellingham remains eligible to feature in the Champions League.
He will be available for Wednesday’s crucial knockout round play-off second leg against Manchester City, where he already played a decisive role by scoring the winner in Madrid’s dramatic 3-2 first-leg comeback at the Etihad Stadium.
Real Madrid Challenges Referee’s Report
Both Bellingham, manager Carlo Ancelotti, and Real Madrid have strongly disputed the referee’s account of events. Addressing the incident, Bellingham explained:
“It’s clear that a mistake was made, and there was a miscommunication. I remember exactly what happened, and after watching the video, it doesn’t match what’s in the referee’s report.”
Backing his player, Ancelotti offered a surprising take on the situation:
“I believe the referee misunderstood Jude Bellingham’s English. He said ‘f** off,’ not ‘f*** you’—and that’s a big difference.”*
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Growing Tension Between Real Madrid and La Liga Officials
Bellingham’s red card is just the latest flashpoint in Madrid’s ongoing dispute with Spanish refereeing. The club and its fans have expressed frustration over recent officiating decisions, believing there is a pattern of bias against them.
Speaking out on the issue, Bellingham hinted at deeper problems:
“In our last three games, everyone has seen what’s happened. But I won’t say too much because I still want to be on the bench for the next match. VAR has only been reviewing incidents in our box, not in the opponent’s.
There were at least two or three clear situations that should’ve been checked, and they weren’t.”
Midfielder Federico Valverde also found himself at the center of the controversy, albeit in an unexpected way.
The Uruguayan international initially refused to criticize referees publicly, stating:
“I’m not here to judge the referee. Everyone makes mistakes, including us players. They are constantly criticized, but when they do well, they don’t get any praise.”
However, this stance did not sit well with Real Madrid’s passionate fanbase, forcing Valverde to issue a follow-up clarification. Taking to social media, he wrote:
“I don’t want my words to be misunderstood, especially by our fans. Everyone has seen what’s happening to us in this league. I haven’t forgotten, but my focus has to be on the next game. That’s where I’ll give my 100%.”
What’s Next for Bellingham and Real Madrid?
With Madrid pushing forward with their appeal, the club hopes to at least reduce Bellingham’s suspension. However, unless overturned, the young midfielder will miss two crucial La Liga fixtures.
Meanwhile, Madrid will now shift their focus to the Champions League, where they aim to capitalize on their first-leg advantage over Manchester City. With Bellingham set to play a key role, the team will be eager to put this latest refereeing saga behind them and concentrate on securing a spot in the next round.
