Real Madrid’s struggles in La Liga continued as they were held to a 1-1 draw against Osasuna at El Sadar. The match, however, was overshadowed by a highly controversial refereeing decision that left Los Blancos furious.
The biggest talking point of the game was the sending-off of Jude Bellingham, who received a straight red card from referee Munuera Montero after protesting a decision.
What Really Happened?
The incident began when Real Madrid players appealed for a corner kick, with Bellingham being the most vocal in his complaints. The referee interpreted the Englishman’s words as offensive and immediately brandished a red card.
According to footage from Movistar, Montero told Luka Modrić that Bellingham had insulted him directly. However, additional video evidence suggested otherwise. The audio appeared to capture Bellingham saying, "I’m speaking to you with respect – f* off,"** indicating a possible misunderstanding.
Bellingham Responds to the Controversy
After the match, Bellingham addressed the situation, insisting that his words were misinterpreted.
"It’s clear that a mistake was made. There was a miscommunication. I don’t want to repeat what I said, but it was more like ‘f*** off’ and not a direct insult. I never intended to leave my team with ten men," the midfielder explained.
Bellingham further urged the Spanish Football Federation to review the footage and reconsider the decision.
"If you watch the video, you’ll see that what was written in the referee’s report doesn’t match what actually happened. I hope the authorities take that into account," he stated, emphasizing that he never directly insulted the referee.
Will Real Madrid Appeal?
Given the circumstances, Real Madrid are expected to file a formal appeal to overturn Bellingham’s red card. The club hopes that the league officials will acknowledge the apparent misinterpretation and rectify the decision in the coming days.
