Real Madrid's English midfielder #05 Jude Bellingham reacts to being presented a red card by Spanish referee Munuera Montero during the Spanish league football match between CA Osasuna and Real Madrid CF at El Sadar Stadium in Pamplona. AFP
Referee José Luis Munuera marched the England midfielder in the 40th minute of the La Liga game after Bellingham complained about a refereeing decision while gesturing with his arms. The two exchanged words before Munuera pulled out the red card.
Coach Carlo Ancelotti defended his player and claimed that Munuera made a translation error of Bellingham’s use of an English expletive.
“Bellingham didn’t do anything that deserved a sending off,” Ancelotti said. “He said ‘(expletive) off,’ not’ (expletive) you.' I don’t think that was meant to be offensive.”
Bellingham spoke after Ancelotti and insisted that his use of the expletive was not meant to target the referee.
“It is clear that he made a mistake and there was a miscommunication,” Bellingham said. “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.
“It is an expression that I have been saying since I was 16 or 17 years old for better or for worse.”
Munuera wrote in his refereeing report that Bellingham told him, "'(expletive) you.’”
Ancelotti had already received a yellow card for complaining about what he thought was a handball by an Osasuna defender in the host's area that was not punished.
Madrid was winning 1-0 from a goal by Kylian Mbappé when Bellingham ran afoul of the ref.
Two rounds ago, Madrid vehemently complained about refereeing that it claimed favored Espanyol in a loss.
The red card means Bellingham will at least miss next round's game against Girona.
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