Bellingham BANNED for F-word rant at referee but escapes 12-GAME suspension

JUDE BELLINGHAM has received a two-match ban for his X-rated rant at a referee.

The Real Madrid star was red carded in Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Osasuna after what he claims was a “miscommunication” between him and referee Jose Munuera.

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Munuera claimed Bellingham, 21, had yelled “f*** you” – which could have landed the England international a TWELVE-GAME ban.

In the Munuera’s report after the game, he claimed: “In the 40th minute, Bellingham was sent off for the following reason: For addressing me, being just a few metres away, in the following terms: “F*** you.”

Bellingham immediately refuted the claim, insisting: “It’s clear that it was a mistake and there is a miscommunication. I remember the incident very well but I’ve also seen the video and the video doesn’t match the report.

“I don’t want to go too much in detail about what was said but it’s like a expression like ‘f***’.

“I hope that the footage review can show that is not the same as the report and going forward that the federation can keep it under consideration because it’s huge evidence.

“Obviously we can’t change the result but I think that going forward there will be a change.”

While Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti claimed after the match that Bellingham had used the term “f*** off” instead, suggesting it is a phrase rather than a personal attack.

He said: “I think the referee did not understand Jude Bellingham’s English. He said f*** off, not f*** you… that’s way different.”

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The Spanish FA’s disciplinary Code says that any player guilty of “insulting, offending, or addressing the main referee, assistants, fourth official, directors, or sports authorities in offensive terms or attitudes” will be punished with a suspension of four to 12 matches.

But Bellingham has avoided a lengthy ban, and will be suspended for matches against Girona at home and Real Betis away.

Reports in Spain suggest Real will appeal.

The Spanish giants had been 1-0 up at the time of Bellingham’s red card, via Kylian Mbappe’s 15th minute opener.

They went on to draw 1-1 following Ante Budimir’s 58th minute penalty.

Asked whether he will talk to Bellingham about his conduct, Ancelotti added: “I’ve nothing to say to Jude. I should talk to the referee, not to Jude.”

The previous week, TV mics picked up a similar X-rated Bellingham rant directed at a linesman during Real Madrid‘s clash with Atletico.

He shouted: “F*** you man! F*** off!”

Even though he swore at an official, the midfielder escaped any punishment on that occasion.

On Tuesday evening, Munuera detailed the abuse he had received during an appearance on Spanish TV show El Partizado.

He said: “Today it was my turn, but how long has the committee been suffering these attacks?

“They are vilifying my nephews, they are attacking my nine brothers, my 80-year-old father went to mass today and… I better keep quiet.

“What are we creating? How can we show in a newspaper the barbarities that we are saying? Are we crazy? Are we controlling violence or promoting it? This is getting out of hand. What sport are we creating with football?

“Before they sent me another hundred thousand death threats or insults, I silenced my Linkedin account so that the same thing wouldn’t happen again. I’m not afraid, it’s for my protection and that of my family. They are in a bad way, very worried.

“They haven’t asked me to stop because they know that’s impossible. My parents don’t deserve this.”

Last season, Mason Greenwood saw red while at Getafe for appearing to tell a referee to “f*** off.”

The former Manchester United forward denied those words, instead claiming to have said “don’t f*** with me” – subsequently escaping a ban.

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