Spanish FA condemns abuse of referee after Bellingham red card

The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has strongly condemned the abuse directed at referee Jose Munuera Montero after his decision to send off Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham in Saturday’s 1-1 draw against Osasuna.

Bellingham received a straight red card for allegedly using foul language, a decision that has sparked debate. Since the incident, Montero has faced harassment on social media, with reports indicating that his family has also been targeted.

“The professional referees are absolutely repulsed by the attacks and threats that our colleague Jose Luis Munuera Montero is receiving through social networks,” the RFEF said in a statement. “These attacks add to the hatred and verbal violence through which we have to carry out our professional work every weekend, and that in the base categories becomes, even more regrettably, physical violence in many cases.”

Bellingham defended himself, insisting his words were misinterpreted. “He believed that I said [something insulting] to him,” the England international explained. “There was no intent to insult him, there was no insult, and for that reason I think you can see there was a misunderstanding.”

The midfielder now faces a possible lengthy suspension at a critical time for Real Madrid. Carlo Ancelotti’s side, once seven points clear, have seen their lead at the top of La Liga evaporate. With three consecutive league games without a win, Madrid are now level on points with Barcelona but sit second due to an inferior goal difference.

The post Spanish FA condemns abuse of referee after Bellingham red card first appeared on 3News.

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