Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham has been handed a two-match La Liga ban by the Spanish Football Federation’s (RFEF) disciplinary committee after being sent off for dissent last weekend, Afrosport reports.
Bellingham was given his marching orders by referee Jose Munuera Montero at the El Sadar Stadium last Saturday during Madrid’s 1-1 draw at Osasuna.
The 21-year-old was dismissed for foul and abusive language towards the official, and the RFEF disciplinary committee ruled on Wednesday that he should be punished for “attitudes of contempt or lack of consideration towards referees”.
Bellingham will miss his side’s league matches against Girona on 23 February and Real Betis on 2 March.
Jude Bellingham has been suspended for 𝗧𝗪𝗢 matches after his red card against Osasuna last Saturday.
Real Madrid will be without him against Girona (H) and Real Betis (A) ❌ pic.twitter.com/uZ4jIvmnOz
— 433 (@433) February 19, 2025
The RFEF disciplinary committee ruled that Madrid’s attempts to prove the midfielder’s innocence were “insufficient” to remove “the presumption of veracity of the referee’s report”.
Bellingham, after the game, said he had no intentions of disrespecting the referee and that his language had been misconstrued.
“I think you can see clearly in the video, I remember the incident very well, it was an expression (I was saying) to myself,” he said.
“I’m not even directing myself towards the referee, but obviously there was a misunderstanding. He’s believed that I’ve said (something insulting) to him.”
Reports, however, suggest Real Madrid will appeal against the suspension.
Bellingham will be on hand to feature for Madrid in other competitions, including the second leg of their Champions League knockout phase play-off against Manchester City on Wednesday.
Real Madrid, winless in their last three games, have relinquished their lead at the top of La Liga to Barcelona, who sits at the summit thanks to a superior goal difference.
