Jude Bellingham has been banned for two LaLiga games for “contemptuous or disrespectful attitudes towards a referee” after he received a red card in the aftermath of Real Madrid‘s controversial 2-2 draw at Valencia, Spain’s competition committee confirmed on Wednesday.
The England international was shown a red card for arguing with referee Jesús Gil Manzano, who had already blown his whistle moments before Bellingham scored what would have been a game-winning header.
The referee’s postmatch report said Bellingham had shown an “aggressive attitude” and allegedly shouted “It’s a f—ing goal” repeatedly.
The Spanish Football Federation’s Disciplinary Committee handed Bellingham a two-game ban — the minimum possible for the offence, under its rules — on Wednesday, for what it called “attitudes of disrespect or a lack of consideration towards the referee,” with a €700 fine for the club, and €600 for the player.
In evidence to the committee, Madrid argued that Bellingham had not displayed an aggressive attitude, said that the player had only spoken once to the referee, and denied that his words were offensive or insulting.