New Delhi: Real Madrid star striker Jude Bellingham was sent off in Madrid’s 1-1 draw against Osasuna at El Sadar. In the 40th minute of the game, referee Jose Munuera Montero and the England midfielder exchanged words before Munuera pulled out the red card. Madrid were leading 1-0 from a goal by Kylian Mbappe when Bellingham ran afoul of the referee.
Bellingham expressed his frustration over the red card itself, rather than directing an insult at the official. The 21-year-old spoke after the match, saying, “It is clear that he made a mistake and there was a miscommunication. I want to make sure that the team knows that I wasn’t irresponsible enough to put them in a situation where they were left with 10.”
Jude Bellingham : “I’m an English player I’m from abroad when I speak on the pitch especially to myself in expressions it comes naturally to say in English -perhaps I should try and do in Spanish😆-
…. there was no intent to insult him there was no an insult and for that reason… pic.twitter.com/yMdS1b6P20— Ria (fan) (@itsjudithworld) February 15, 2025
Munuera wrote in his refereeing report that Bellingham told him, “(expletive) you.” In response, the forward said that he has been using that expression since he was 16 or 17 years old, for better or for worse. Bellingham is hoping that video evidence of what he said will help him avoid a significant suspension.
— eme can (@can_eme92757) February 15, 2025
This was Bellingham’s second red card for Los Blancos since joining from Borussia Dortmund in 2023. The first came last March after he argued with referee Jesus Gil Manzano following a 2-2 league draw at Valencia.
Ancelotti’s defence
Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti defended his player and claimed in the post-match conference that Munuera made a translation error regarding Bellingham’s use of an English expletive. Ancelotti himself received a yellow card in the match for complaining about what he thought was a handball by an Osasuna defender in the host’s area that was not given.
🚨 Ancelotti: “I think the referee did not understand Jude Bellingham’s English. He said f*ck off, not f*ck you… that’s way different”.
“I won’t talk more about the referee as I want to be on the bench next week”. pic.twitter.com/Ft6bhLWSwI
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) February 15, 2025
Looking ahead for Madrid
Despite a draw against Osasuna Real Madrid still earned a two-point lead over second-placed Atletico Madrid. Madrid will play Girona on the weekend, while Osasuna will face Celta Vigo.
Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham addresses his controversial red card incident in the 1-1 draw against Osasuna. Did the referee get it right? Find out what Bellingham had to say about the heated moment. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
