Jude Bellingham, a Real Madrid midfielder, faces a possible 12-match ban following his X-rated outburst at the referee, which resulted in his red card against Osasuna on Saturday.
Referee Jose Luis Munuera Montero sent out the England star 39 minutes into Madrid’s 1-1 draw with Osasuna for foul and insulting language.
But Bellingham insisted he was not disrespectful to the referee, who accused the young star of saying ‘F*** you.’
Bellingham said he said ‘f*** off,’ but these remarks were directed at himself in exasperation rather than the match official.
After the match, Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti said, “I believe the referee did not understand Jude Bellingham’s English.” He used “f* off” instead of “f* you.”. That’s quite different.
It is unclear whether Madrid will file an appeal to overturn Bellingham’s red card.
Otherwise, the 21-year-old could sit out 12 games while his teammates play.
According to the Spanish FA’s disciplinary code, any player found guilty of ‘insulting, offending, or addressing the main referee, assistants, fourth official, directors, or sports authorities in offensive phrases or attitudes’ will be suspended for four to twelve matches.
If the punishment is upheld, Bellingham will miss Madrid’s La Liga matches against Girona, Betis, and Rayo Vallecano, as well as the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final against Real Sociedad.
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