Jude Bellingham handed two-match La Liga ban after red card for swearing at referee – Real Madrid to appeal | OneFootball

The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) have handed Jude Bellingham a two-match ban following his red card in Real Madrid’s 1-1 draw against Osasuna.

The England international was shown red before half-time at El Sadar on Saturday for supposedly saying “f*** you” to referee José Luis Munuera Montero, as the Spanish official’s report of the match states.

The RFEF described this as “contemptuous or inconsiderate attitudes towards referees, officials or sports authorities” in deciding upon the length of the midfielder’s ban.

This is despite Bellingham since declaring that there had been a “miscommunication”, as well as Carlo Ancelotti’s explanation that the player instead said “f*** off” in frustration over a decision, rather than directly insulting the referee. As such, Madrid are set to appeal the decision.

The appeal would mark the latest development in Madrid’s clash with the Spanish football authorities, having sent a formal letter to the FA after their 1-0 away loss to Espanyol at the beginning February.

Los Blancos felt the match winner, Carlos Romero, should have already been sent off for a prior challenge on Kylian Mbappé, which only saw the defender receive a yellow card.

This outrage intensified in the following weeks, first with a controversial penalty awarded to Atlético Madrid during a 1-1 draw, and then at Osasuna this prior weekend, both due to the red card and a contentious penalty awarded against them.

Madrid we’re leading through Mbappé’s opener at the time of Bellingham’s dismissal, but went on to draw 1-1 due to the spot-kick converted by Croatian striker Ante Budimir.

Bellingham will play tonight (Wednesday) in Madrid’s home tie against Manchester City in the Champions League, in which they lead 3-2 courtesy of the 21-year-old’s last- minute winner.

Should the ban be upheld, the La Liga holders will then be without Bellingham when they host City’s sister-club Girona this Sunday 23 February.

Madrid currently sit second in the table behind arch-rivals Barcelona, who only lead on goal-difference with Atlético also lurking just one point behind in third place.

Travis Levison | Get Football