Real Madrid midfielder, Jude Bellingham is facing a possible 12-match ban following his X-rated rant towards the referee which saw him receive a red card against Osasuna on Saturday.
The England star was sent off by referee Jose Luis Munuera Montero 39 minutes into Madrid’s 1-1 draw at Osasuna for foul and abusive language.
But Bellingham was adamant that he was not abusive towards the referee, who accused the young star of telling him: ‘F*** you’.
Bellingham’s account was that he had said: ‘f*** off’, but that these words were aimed at himself in frustration, rather than at the match official.
Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti added after the match: ‘I think the referee did not understand Jude Bellingham’s English. He said “f*** off”, not “f*** you”… that’s way different.’
It remains to be seen whether Madrid will appeal in the hope of getting Bellingham’s red overturned.
If not, the 21-year-old could be facing 12 games watching his team-mates.
The Spanish FA’s disciplinary Code tells that any player guilty of ‘insulting, offending, or addressing the main referee, assistants, fourth official, directors, or sports authorities in offensive terms or attitudes’ will be punished with a suspension of four to 12 matches.
If that ban is enforced, Bellingham will miss Madrid’s La Liga bouts with Girona, Betis, and Rayo Vallecano, as well as the first leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final against Real Sociedad.