Jude Bellingham is alleged to have told referee Munuera Montero “f*** you” during Real Madrid’s La Liga draw with Osasuna yesterday (Saturday). The midfielder was sent off for foul and abusive language before half-time in the 1-1 stalemate.
Bellingham has denied swearing at the official and has urged Real to lodge a complaint to get his suspension overturned. Referee Montero has now released his report on the incident.
The Spaniard claims that Bellingham shouted “f*** you” after a decision went against Los Blancos. The report adds: “In the 40th minute, the player Jude Bellingham was sent off with a red card for this reason: because he addressed me with insults.”
Bellingham is adamant that there was a miscommunication. The 20-year-old is keen for Real to appeal against his red card, which could see him land a two-match ban.
“It’s clear that it was a mistake and there is a miscommunication,” the England ace said afterwards. “I remember the incident very well but I’ve also seen the video and the video doesn’t match the report.
“I hope that the footage review can show that is not the same as the report and going forward that the federation can keep it under consideration because it’s huge evidence.
“There was no insult. You can see clearly in the video. I remember the incident very well. It was an expression to myself not directed towards the referee. But obviously there was a misunderstanding of what he believes I said to him. It wasn’t an insult at all.
“Obviously we can’t change the result but I think that going forward there will be a change.”
Real boss Carlo Ancelotti claimed that Bellingham had actually said “f*** off” out of personal frustration, not directed at the referee. “He said f*** off, not ‘f*** you’ and not ‘don’t f*** with me,” the Italian said.
“Strange things have happened in our last three games that everyone has seen. F*** off in Spanish is not something offensive.
“It’s like ‘No me jodas’ (a Spanish phrase to mean ‘don’t take the p***’ or ‘don’t mess me around’). I don’t feel like adding more.”
Ten-man Real went on to draw 1-1. Kylian Mbappe opened the scoring in the 15th minute with Bellingham still on the pitch. Without the prolific midfielder, Ancelotti’s side failed to find a second goal and were pegged back thanks to Ante Budimir’s penalty.
Real face the second leg of their Champions League play-off clash with Manchester City on Wednesday. They lead the tie 3-2 on aggregate after a thrilling clash at the Etihad Stadium last week. Any ban for Bellingham will only apply to domestic competitions.
Content Source: www.express.co.uk