Real Madrid to Challenge Jude Bellingham’s Red Card

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In the latest La Liga standings, Real Madrid CF says it will appeal the red card given to midfielder Jude Bellingham during last week’s 1-1 game against Osasuna at El Sadar Stadium. The club claims the red card came about due to a language misunderstanding between Bellingham and referee José Luis Munuera Montero.

Bellingham received a straight red card in the 40th minute of the game for supposedly using abusive language against the referee. In the match’s official report, Bellingham is quoted as having said “f*** you”. However, audio replays and video reviews show that the player had uttered “f*** off,” which is a common English colloquialism of frustration and not addressed to anyone in particular.

Bellingham strongly denied meaning to insult the referee, saying his words were a reflex response to what he saw on the pitch. “It’s clear that there was a misunderstanding,” Bellingham said to reporters after the game. “I remember exactly what happened, and the video refutes the report. There was no insult, it was a cry of frustration, and it wasn’t directed at anyone in particular.”

Manager Carlo Ancelotti backed Bellingham’s version of events, highlighting the subtleties of language that could have caused the referee to mishear. “I think the referee misunderstood Jude’s words,” Ancelotti said. “In English, when you say ‘f*** off,’ it is a expression of frustration, not an insult to a person. The referee’s misunderstanding has sadly resulted in this.”

Real Madrid will make an appeal to the Spanish Football Federation’s Competition Committee, submitting video footage and the analysis of linguistics experts in a bid to provide context to Bellingham’s words. The club hopes to have the red card and subsequent suspension, which could be a two-game suspension for general misconduct or as much as a twelve-game suspension for insulting a match official if upheld, rescinded.

This has sparked more discussion on how to go about interpreting players’ on-field language, and particularly for words that have different meanings in different languages. Real Madrid focuses on making sure cultural and linguistic context is given regard in the instance of such an example so that the disciplinary measures taken are reasonable and equitable.

The club is confident that, when it studies the evidence, the Competition Committee will recognize its mistake and revoke the red card. Real Madrid will continue to fight to defend the honor of the sport while ensuring that its players are dealt with fairly in the disciplinary process.

While appealing, Bellingham will still be eligible for selection for forthcoming matches, including the all-important Champions League play-off second leg tie against Manchester City, with Real Madrid leading 3-2. The club would want there to be a quick and just resolution so that the focus can return from off-field to on-field activity.