‘Getting out of hand’ – Jude Bellingham discovers ban after saga that left ref in tears on live radio

Jude Bellingham has received a two-match ban following a red card row that has dominated headlines in Spain, and has seen the referee who sent him off become the target of abuse.

Referee Jose Munuera Montero dismissed the Englishman after an on-field altercation between the pair during Real Madrid‘s 1-1 draw with Osasuna on Sunday.

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Montero accused Bellingham of saying ‘f*** you’ to him, despite the England international insisting he had instead said ‘f*** off’.

The 21-year-old later described the incident as a ‘miscommunication’, and insisted he had no intention of insulting the match official.

Despite this, the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) have now chosen to punish Bellingham, after judging that he displayed ‘contemptuous or inconsiderate attitudes towards referees, officials or sports authorities’.

The saga sparked outrage in Spain, with Los Blancos even believed to have considered leaving LaLiga, who feel the sending off was the latest in a number of decisions to go against them. 

What’s more, referee Montero is also under investigation by the RFEF’s compliance committee for a separate incident, relating to his ‘extra-sporting activities’. 

The official owns sports consultancy agency, Talentus Sports, whose alleged clients include the likes of UEFA, LaLiga and reportedly football clubs such as Atletico Madrid and Manchester City.

With recent events forcing Montero further into the spotlight, the Spaniard has now spoken out in the wake of mounting scrutiny.

Appearing on Spanish radio show, El Partidazo, on Tuesday the 41-year-old insisted he had ‘never, ever,’ received payment from a sporting organisation, but revealed his family had faced a barrage of abuse following the weekend’s events.

The referee was left in tears live on air as he said: “Today it was my turn, but how long has the committee been suffering these attacks? 

“They are vilifying my nephews, they are attacking my nine brothers, my 80-year-old father went to mass today and… I better keep quiet. 

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“What are we creating? How can we show in a newspaper the barbarities that we are saying? Are we crazy? Are we controlling violence or promoting it? This is getting out of hand. What sport are we creating with football?”

Montero then revealed he had been unable to leave his house after unfolding of recent events, and called for an end to the onslaught of abuse directed at referees.

He continued: “I’ve been locked up at home all day not believing what’s going on, I’m telling you honestly. 

“It’s very hard and I’m not saying it for me, I’m very strong mentally, very strong, but this is getting out of hand. 

“It’s for my family, my teammates, the collective, the young referees, the young people who are starting out.

“What sport are we creating with football? Do we want this? I wish I knew who was behind all this because then that would be the next demand I would make.”

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Montero also revealed that he had received countless death threats following the Bellingham controversy.

The Spaniard added: “Before I received more than 100,000 threatening messages, death threats, insults… what I did was to silence my Linkedin account.

“I am not afraid because I have nothing to hide. My family is the one who is suffering the most, they are very worried. They know they can’t ask me to stop, it’s impossible.

“I try to calm them down. I put up with this defamation, but my parents don’t deserve this.”

Following the decision to ban Bellingham for two matches, the England star will now miss his side’s league matches against both Girona at home, and Real Betis away.