Jude Bellingham has claimed a ‘communication error’ led to his baffling red card.
The England and Real Madrid midfielder was dismissed on Saturday against Osasuna for what the Spanish authorities claimed was ‘dissent’. It came after Bellingham appeared to appeal a decision with the referee, who brandished a straight red card.
Speaking after the game, the 21-year-old claims that he did not insult the referee despite his foul-mouthed comment and then staged an apology to his teammates. “I never insulted the referee, I’m glad to see there are the videos to show the reality despite the referee’s report,” Bellingham said.
“I’m here to apologise with my teammates as I put them in difficult situation today. I didn’t say anything bad to the referee. It’s clear that there was a communication error.
“It’s an expression like Spanish one ‘joder’… and the consequence is that he left us with one less player. It’s not an insult, it was an expression for myself.”
Meanwhile, Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has given his verdict on the incident and also leapt to Bellingham’s defence. He said: "I don't want to talk about the refereeing because I want to stay on the bench. When Bellingham was sent off, he didn't understand English well, because he said f*** off, not f*** you. Which in Spanish is ‘don't f*** with me’.”
He also continued his complaints in his post-match press conference. The Italian added: “He said f*** off, not ‘f*** you’ and not ‘don’t f*** with me’.
“Strange things have happened in our last three games that everyone has seen. F*** off in Spanish is not something offensive. It’s like ‘No me jodas’. I don’t feel like adding more. Everyone saw VAR came in to look at plays in their area and not in ours.”
Bellingham’s red card came back to cost Real against Osasuna. Despite Kylian Mbappe giving Los Blancos the lead, Osasuna equalised after the break with the game finishing level.
They next take on Girona in the league next weekend and it has yet to be confirmed whether Real will appeal against Bellingham’s ban for his dismissal. Regardless, Bellingham is still clear to play in next week’s decisive Champions League clash with Manchester City.
Real Madrid welcome Pep Guardiola’s side to the Santiago Bernabeu after winning 3-2 in Manchester - Bellingham netting a dramatic late goal to complete a stunning turnaround.