Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham was left shocked when he was sent off during the first half of their La Liga match against Osasuna.
The decision, made by referee Jose Luis Munuera Montero, sparked widespread debate.
It’s been reported that the referee believed Bellingham said “f*** you,” but the England international insists he actually said “f*** off.” This misunderstanding has led to Bellingham potentially facing a ban of up to 12 matches, though his manager Carlo Ancelotti has staunchly defended him.
Real Madrid’s Strong Reaction
The red card left Real Madrid to play with 10 men for more than half of the match, which ended in a frustrating 1-1 draw that hurt their title aspirations.
Real Madrid, reportedly furious about the decision, are even considering pulling out of La Liga over the incident.
The fallout has also seen the referee receiving death threats in the wake of the controversial call.
Investigation Into Referee’s Outside Interests
On top of the controversy surrounding the red card, Munuera Montero is now under investigation by the Spanish Football Federation’s compliance committee.
Diario AS reports that the investigation is looking into potential conflicts of interest linked to his ownership of a sports consultancy agency, Talentus Sports.
The agency is said to have clients including UEFA, La Liga, and various football clubs like Atletico Madrid and Manchester City.
If the investigation finds any wrongdoing, Munuera Montero could face a ban from officiating for up to five years.
Potential Consequences for Munuera Montero
The key issue is whether Munuera Montero’s business interests are interfering with his duties as a referee.
According to the Spanish Football Federation’s regulations, officials must not have secondary interests that could affect their impartiality on the pitch.
With the ongoing investigation, the referee’s future in the game is uncertain, and any potential findings could have serious consequences.
Bellingham’s Response
As for Bellingham, he remains optimistic that he won’t face a long-term suspension.
He took to social media to address the situation, offering an apology for his actions during the match.
“Enough said about the misunderstanding,” he wrote, adding that he was grateful for the support from fans.
He also apologized to his teammates for leaving them in a difficult situation but expressed his hope to be back in action soon.
“See you on Wednesday at home,” Bellingham concluded, looking ahead to the next match.
Looking Ahead
Both Bellingham and Munuera Montero are caught in a web of controversy, but the coming days will reveal what the investigation and La Liga’s response will mean for them.
For Real Madrid, the immediate concern is how the team will cope without one of their stars, while Bellingham’s supporters continue to rally behind him.
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