Why Jude Bellingham could face 12-match ban after red card against Osasuna?

The midfielder might miss many important Real Madrid games if the ban is imposed.

Jude Bellingham was given a red card against Osasuna on Saturday for his behaviour towards the referee, which might result in him missing 12 games.

Referee Jose Luis Munuera Montero sent off Bellingham for using profane and disrespectful language, 39 minutes into Madrid’s 1-1 draw against Osasuna.

The referee charged the former Birmingham City wonderkid of saying, “F*** you,” but Bellingham insisted he had not been abusive. The potential punishment could be severe under Article 94 of the Royal Spanish Football Federation’s Disciplinary Code.

According to Bellingham, he had yelled, “f*** off,” but he addressed it to himself out of annoyance rather than the referee.

After the game, Carlo Ancelotti, the manager of Real Madrid, added: “I believe the referee did not comprehend Jude Bellingham’s English. He did not say “f* you” but rather “f* off”… It’s completely different.

Whether Madrid will file an appeal to have Bellingham’s red card reversed is still up in the air.

Otherwise, the 21-year-old might have to watch his teammates for 12 games. Any player found guilty of “insulting, offending, or addressing the main referee, assistants, fourth official, directors, or sports authorities in offensive terms or attitudes” faces a four- to 12-match suspension under the Spanish FA’s disciplinary code.

Bellingham will be absent from Madrid’s LaLiga matches against Girona, Betis, and Rayo Vallecano in addition to the first leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final matchup with Real Sociedad if that ban is implemented.

Bellingham will miss most of the rest of the season if it is extended to the full 12 games. Bellingham was obviously not anticipating a lengthy absence, as he wrote:

‘Enough said about the misunderstanding. Just wanted to apologise again for leaving my teammates in such a tough position and thank the fans for their support and understanding. See you on Wednesday at home’.

He told reporters: ‘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 “joder”.

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