Jude Bellingham could be suspended for as many as 12 matches for telling referee José Luis Munuera Montero to ‘f*** off’ in a 1-1 draw with Osasuna.
AS claim that the incident that earned the Real Madrid man a red card is punishable with between four to 12 matches for “insulting a referee”, as per LaLiga’s guidelines.
However, if it’s deemed an “attitude of contempt or disrespect without the act being more serious” Bellingham could get away with two to three games.
Yet Bellingham doesn’t have much of a defence, having been picked up using similar language to an official against Atletico Madrid, and in previous matches throughout the season.
Carlo Ancelotti has still attempted to defend the midfielder, though, saying there is nuance in the language used.
“The referee didn’t understand English well,” the Italian coach said at a press conference. “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.”
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