Bellingham Banned: Two-Match Suspension for Referee Abuse

Jude Bellingham, a Real Madrid midfielder, has been banned two-matches for verbally mistreating a referee during his team’s 1-1 LaLiga tie against Osasuna on Saturday, the Spanish FA (RFEF) confirmed on Wednesday.

Referee Jose Munuera Montero sent Bellingham, 21, out after he believed the England player had used harsh language intended against him. Although Bellingham and his coach Carlo Ancelotti said the official had been mistaken, the RFEF Disciplinary Committee did not agree and imposed the punishment for “attitudes of contempt or lack of consideration towards referees”.

Real Madrid indicated they will appeal to try to have Bellingham available for LaLiga games against Girona and Betis. The events on Saturday spurred an unusual discussion on translating and cultural interpretations of English vulgarity in Spanish media.

It also stoked a conflict between Real Madrid and the national soccer authorities following Real’s letter of complaint against LaLiga’s officials for what they claimed to be several unfair rulings.