Real Madrid’s Bellingham handed two-match suspension for dissent
Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham Receives Two-Match Ban for Dissent
Jude Bellingham has been handed a two-match La Liga suspension by the Spanish football federation’s disciplinary committee following his red card for dissent during Real Madrid’s 1-1 draw against Osasuna on Saturday.
The England international insisted he was expressing frustration rather than insulting referee José Munuera Montero, but the committee deemed Madrid’s defense “insufficient” to overturn the official’s report. As a result, Bellingham will miss league fixtures against Girona on February 23 and Real Betis on March 2.
Addressing the incident, the 21-year-old maintained it was a misunderstanding:
“I remember the moment very well. It was an expression directed at myself, not at the referee. Unfortunately, he misinterpreted it,” Bellingham explained.
Real Madrid plans to appeal the decision, a club source told AFP.
Meanwhile, referee Munuera Montero has faced online abuse and threats in the aftermath, which the federation condemned as “repulsive.”
Madrid has been vocal in its criticism of Spanish officiating in recent weeks, labeling it “rigged” in an official letter to the federation. The club’s frustration has been amplified by a three-game winless run in La Liga, allowing rivals Barcelona to pull level on points and take the lead on goal difference.
