Jude Bellingham could face mammoth 12-game ban after red card

Jude Bellingham’s third career red card could have him in very big trouble indeed.

The England midfielder received his second Real Madrid sending off in a 1-1 LaLiga draw with Osasuna on Saturday night. Although exactly what happened is up for debate, and it could put him in a world of pain.

In the 39th minute of the match Bellingham was seen interacting with referee Jose Luis Munuera Montero, who then whipped out a red much to the shock of the midfielder and his teammates.

In the official’s match report, he explained the situation, writing that the punishment was: “For addressing me, just a few metres away, in the following terms: ‘F*** you’.”

Should the complaint be upheld, Bellingham’s ban could be an incredibly heavy one, as the Spanish Football Federation’s rules make clear.

As per AS, Article 94 of the Disciplinary Code of the Royal Spanish Football Federation [RFEF] states: “Insulting, offending, or addressing the main referee, assistants, fourth official, directors, or sports authorities in offensive terms or attitudes, unless it constitutes a more serious offence, will be punished with a suspension of four to 12 matches.”

However, if the insult is deemed an “attitude of contempt or disrespect without the act being more serious,” Bellingham could receive just two or three games.

Match broadcasters Movistar+ showed a zoomed in version of events, subtitling Bellingham’s words as: “I’m talking to you with respect,” before saying “F*** off,” when he saw Munuera Montero reaching for an initial yellow card.

Explaining the difference post-match, Bellingham told the media, in English: “It’s clear he made a mistake and there was a miscommunication.

“I remember the incident very well but also I’ve seen the video and the video doesn’t match the report.

“I don’t want to go into the incident in too much detail but it’s more an expression like ‘Joder’ (f*** in Spanish) and it’s difficult when a referee isn’t sure to determine when I’ve said something that I haven’t and the result hinders the team.”

Being more explicit in his post-match press conference, Ancelotti, who managed in England with Chelsea and Everton, added: “The referee didn’t understand English well, he said ‘f*** off’ and not ‘f*** you’.

“He made a mistake in the translation. It’s not something offensive. The red card came out because the referee was a bit tense.

“I have nothing to say against Bellingham. Bellingham did absolutely nothing today to be sent off. The referee made a mistake in the translation, that’s all.”

In Bellingham’s defence is the case of countryman Mason Greenwood, who saw red in January 2024 for Getafe when a referee’s report claimed he said ‘f*** you’.

Yet when an official translator was hired, his punishment was rescinded as it was claimed he actually said: “One, two, three, four, f***.”

Against Bellingham, though, is his track record this season, with microphones picking up him shouting ‘f*** you’ at a linesman in Real’s previous LaLiga match against Atletico Madrid. He’s also been accused of similar incidents towards a referee against Espanyol and a linesman in a Champions League defeat to AC Milan.

Adding his thoughts on the hot topic of the week in LaLiga, Barcelona manager and fluent English speaker Hansi Flick said: “It is a lack of respect in any situation.

“For me it is like that, but I don’t have to decide and it’s not my business. I always tell my players that they don’t have to waste energy saying certain things to the referee.

“We have a person on the field with the right to speak to the referee, who is the captain. And you have to accept it as it is.”

However, Madrid fans have quickly picked up on an interview with club great Cristiano Ronaldo where he explained the difference in his time at Manchester United.

He said: “I played in England for many years and do you know what the English often say as a normal expression and nothing happens? The English say ‘f*** off’ a lot and the referees don’t say anything, they don’t think you’re attacking them.

“If you say it here (in Spain), they send you away. You have to be a little flexible and talk.”