Spanish FA condemn online abuse of referee who sent off Jude Bellingham

The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) say its referees are “repulsed” by the vitriol directed at Jose Munuera Montero after he sent off Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham on Saturday.

Bellingham was dismissed in the first half of the 1-1 draw at Osasuna after Montero decided he had used abusive language in his direction.

The England international insisted he had simply expressed frustration and the slur was not aimed at the official.

Jude Bellingham’s mouth got him in big trouble against Osasuna today 🗣️

The Real Madrid midfielder was shown a straight red card and sent down the tunnel after remonstrating with the referee 🟥

— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV)

The aftermath saw Montero targeted by online trolls and the RFEF say enough is enough.

“The professional referees are absolutely repulsed by the attacks and threats that our colleague Jose Luis Munuera Montero is receiving through social networks, which not only target him personally but also his family,” the statement read.

“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.”

I didn’t say anything bad – Bellingham

Immediately after the game, Bellingham explained he said “f*** off” in a general sense but Montero claimed he directed the term ‘f*** you” at him instead.

“I didn’t say anything bad to the referee,” Bellingham said. “It’s clear that there was a communication error.

“It’s an expression like the 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.”

Despite holding onto their 1-0 lead until half-time, Madrid’s numerical disadvantage proved costly in the second half.

Osasuna were awarded a penalty in the 58th minute after Eduardo Camavinga’s late challenge, and Ante Budimir converted from the spot to make it 1-1.

The visitors were unable to restore their advantage, settling for a frustrating draw that enabled rivals Barcelona to go top of La Liga courtesy of last night’s 1-0 win over Rayo Vallecano.

Bellingham apology

After the match, Bellingham issued an apology – not to the referee – but to his team-mates for putting them in a difficult position.

“I’m here to apologise with my team-mates as I put them in a difficult situation today,” he admitted.

“I never insulted the referee, I’m glad to see there are the videos to show the reality despite the referee’s report.”

Next up for Madrid is tomorrow night’s Champions League knockout phase playoff second leg against Manchester City at the Santiago Bernabeu.