Jose Luis Munuera Montero who sent off Jude Bellingham now faces a potential five-year ban over a 'conflict of interest'

The referee has faced an avalanche of criticism.

The story of Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham and officiating has taken a surprise turn as the RFEF has opened an investigation into the man who sent off the English player, referee Jose Luis Munuera Montero. After showing a straight red card for dissent, the official now faces the prospect of a lengthy ban because of “conflict of interest.”

Cameras apparently captured Bellingham telling Munuera Montero, “I am talking to you with respect,” before he walked away and seemed to mutter, “F** off,” as his annoyance boiled over in Real Madrid’s 1-1 tie with Osasuna.

But the 21-year-old has subsequently maintained that his comment was “an expression to myself” and that he “never insulted the referee.” Carlo Ancelotti, his manager, has also supported the player, claiming that the whole thing was a mistake.

Jude Bellingham faces a 2-game penalty after his statements and intentions were investigated. Real Madrid’s suspicion that the authorities overseeing Spanish football are conspiring against them has been strengthened by the recent revelation that Munuera Montero is the subject of a separate inquiry. As a result, the team has started looking into the prospect of a breakaway European Super League once more.

In addition to his work as a referee, Montero is said to have established a sports management and consulting firm with a wide range of clients, including LaLiga, UEFA, the RFEF, and teams like Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester City, and Atletico Madrid, according to Spanish publication AS.

In order to determine if this is a conflict of interest, the RFEF has now started a formal investigation. If found guilty of violating the rules referees are supposed to follow, Montero can be banned from refereeing for five years and fined a whopping €100,000 (just over £83,000).

Referees and important people must abide by Regulatory Code Point 9.1, which stipulates that pertinent individuals must not “have secondary interests that may interfere with the fulfilment of their professional obligations.”

The same article states that the Federation’s Compliance Committee has yet to make a conclusion and is still collecting information. However, following the red card issue, Relevo had revealed that Montero was not given any of the ten-game ban and will be officiated during the next LaLiga matchweek.

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