PAMPLONA, Spain — Jude Bellingham’s passion on the pitch resulted in an early exit during Real Madrid’s 1-1 draw against Osasuna, following a controversial red card received for using explicit language while contesting a refereeing decision on Saturday.
The incident occurred in the 40th minute when referee José Luis Munuera deemed Bellingham’s protests too expressive. The England international gestured with his arms, which led to a verbal exchange before Munuera promptly issued the red card. Ancelotti defended Bellingham, claiming that the referee misinterpreted the midfielder’s words. “Bellingham didn’t do anything that deserved a sending off,” Ancelotti stated, clarifying that the player’s intent was not offensive.
Munuera’s report stated that Bellingham told him, “(expletive) you,” which sparked the controversy around the incident. In his post-match comments, Bellingham noted that he didn’t wish to delve into the specifics but emphasized that his choice of language wasn’t aimed at the referee. He acknowledged the emotional intensity of matches but expressed confidence that he hadn’t been disrespectful in his remarks.
This incident is not isolated for Bellingham, who faced a two-match suspension last season for similar behavior in a fixture against Valencia. This latest expulsion means he will miss Real Madrid’s upcoming match against Girona, posing a significant setback for the team.
Ancelotti himself also incurred a yellow card during the match, unhappy with a non-call on an apparent handball by an Osasuna player. The game saw Real Madrid initially in the lead with a goal from Kylian Mbappé before Osasuna equalized through an Ante Budimir penalty in the second half.
Fans will be eager to see how Real Madrid adapts to Bellingham’s absence in the upcoming fixtures, especially given the midfielder’s influential role in the team. Despite the challenge, the squad’s depth could allow them to remain competitive.
This incident highlights the intense emotions that can flare during high-stakes matches, as well as the need for clear communication on the pitch, particularly when language barriers exist.