Bellingham banned for two games in LaLiga over referee abuse

Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham has been given a two-match ban for verbally abusing referee Jose Munuera Montero during Saturday’s 1-1 LaLiga draw at Osasuna.

Bellingham, 21, was shown a straight red card late in the first half by Montero, who thought the England international had directed abusive language at him.

Although Bellingham and his coach Carlo Ancelotti said the official had been mistaken, the Spanish Football Association’s (RFEF) disciplinary committee has imposed the ban.

On Wednesday, the RFEF said the suspension was handed down in a bid to combat “attitudes of contempt or lack of consideration towards referees.”

Madrid subsequently said they will appeal to try to have Bellingham available for their upcoming LaLiga games against Girona and Real Betis.

Saturday’s incident poured fuel on a feud between Madrid, the RFEF and LaLiga, who Los Blancos recently accused of making “rigged decisions” in a letter of complaint.

The RFEF issued a statement on Tuesday saying referees were sickened by the abuse Montero has received since sending Bellingham off.

Bellingham’s suspension does not apply to UEFA competitions, so he will be able to face Manchester City in the Champions League on Wednesday.

@BellinghamJude: “There was no insult and it’s clear on the video.”
Full interview RM Play

— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadriden) February 15, 2025