Jude Bellingham banned for two games as referee hits out at media claims

The referee who sent off Jude Bellingham after the Real Madrid midfielder swore has denounced what he calls a false accusation by local media that has led to him being temporarily sidelined by the Spanish football federation (RFEF).

The news emerged as RFEF’s disciplinary committee suspended Bellingham for two games over what it called his “disrespectful” behaviour toward José Luis Munuera, meaning he will be unavailable for league games against Girona and Real Betis.

On Tuesday the RFEF said Munuera would not officiate games until it concluded its analysis of a report by the online newspaper El Español that alleged Munuera had business relations with “officials” in the Spanish league. The focus of the report is Talentus Sports Speakers, a company which Munuera participates in that offers motivation talks by sports figures.

Munuera responded to the media report with a statement saying that Talentus Sports Speakers “has never invoiced any quantity from any sporting institution, whether it be a club, a federation or a company linked to sports”. He added that he would take legal action against media outlets that have “intentionally or due to negligence spread false or incorrect information” about him or the refereeing profession.

La Liga’s president, Javier Tebas, backed the decision by the federation while saying his league has no business dealings with Munuera or Talentus Sports Speakers. Tebas told reporters that the league had received services in the past from a different company which is co-owned by a former league employee who also participates in Talentus Sports Speakers.

In an interview with Spanish radio Cope, Munuera insisted he would demonstrate to the federation that he never been paid by a sports body. He added that had been giving talks on sports for years before helping create the company last year.

The attention paid to Munuera’s business activities came days after he became the main talking point for Spanish football media and Madrid fans after sending off Bellingham for using an English expletive that he felt was a protest at his refereeing in a 1-1 draw at Osasuna in La Liga.

Bellingham said there had been a misunderstanding and that he “didn’t insult the referee”. Madrid’s coach, Carlo Ancelotti, also claimed Munuera had erred in his decision to sent off the England international. The fresh complaints by Madrid came two weeks after the club had issued a scathing attack of Spain’s referees which it claimed were systematically favouring their opponents.

The federation issued a statement on Monday denouncing the “attacks and threats” that Munuera had received on social media after sending Bellingham off.