Spanish Federation clear Jude Bellingham red card referee of confict of interest

The Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) have cleared referee Jose Luis Munuera Montero of a conflict of interest, following revelations about his business activities outside of officiating. Munuera was temporarily suspended by the Referees Committee (CTA) and UEFA while the investigation was ongoing, but after less than 48 hours, it has been concluded.

Munuera was the centre of attention over the weekend, after he sent off Jude Bellingham for telling him to ‘f*** off’, and neglecting to grant any of their penalty appeals. He faced criticism from Bellingham and Carlo Ancelotti, and a vicious backlash from the Madrid-based press followed. Meanwhile on Tuesday Fede Valverde actually empathised with officials, before putting out a clarifying tweet an hour later that he did want to criticise them.

That same day, it emerged that Munuera was under investigation for his business Talentus Sports Speakers, for a potential conflict of interests. It was suggested that his business carried out consultancy work for sporting institutions including La Liga, the RFEF, Aston Villa and Manchester City.

However the Compliance Department have now concluded that no such thing is the case, as per Diario AS.