During Real Madrid’s 1-1 draw against Osasuna on February 15, 2025, midfielder Jude Bellingham was controversially shown a straight red card following a heated exchange with referee José Luis Munuera Montero. The incident, which occurred in the 39th minute, left both his teammates and fans stunned.
Real Madrid had taken an early lead through Kylian Mbappé’s goal in the 15th minute. However, the game took a dramatic turn when Bellingham was sent off for allegedly using offensive language toward the referee. With a numerical advantage, Osasuna capitalized in the 58th minute when Ante Budimir converted a penalty after Eduardo Camavinga committed a foul. Despite several attempts, Madrid failed to find a winning goal, extending their winless run in La Liga to three matches.
After the match, Bellingham voiced his frustration, insisting he had not insulted the referee. “I didn’t insult him; it was clearly a mistake by the referee,” he said. The English midfielder clarified that he had used an expletive in frustration but had not directed it at the official. He urged a review of the footage, hoping it would prove his innocence.
Head coach Carlo Ancelotti backed Bellingham’s claims, suggesting that a language misunderstanding may have influenced the referee’s decision. Ancelotti emphasized that Bellingham did not intend to offend the official and expressed optimism that the disciplinary committee would take context into account when assessing the case.
According to the Spanish Football Federation’s Disciplinary Code, insulting a referee can lead to a suspension ranging from four to twelve matches. However, if deemed an act of mere disrespect rather than outright insult, the ban could be reduced to two or three games. Real Madrid plans to appeal the decision, aiming for a reassessment based on video evidence.
This incident has reignited debates over the consistency of refereeing decisions in La Liga and the challenges posed by language barriers in football. With key fixtures ahead, a potential suspension for Bellingham could have significant consequences for Real Madrid’s domestic and European campaigns.
