Spain’s federation claims referees are disgusted by the abuse received after Bellingham’s red card

Spain’s football federation stated that referees are disgusted by the abuse directed at Jose Munuera Montero since he issued a red card to Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham, highlighting the “hatred and verbal violence” that match officials are forced to confront.

Spain’s football federation announced that referees are appalled by the mistreatment Jose Munuera Montero has faced since issuing a red card to Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham, highlighting the “hatred and verbal violence” that match officials must tolerate.

Montero thought the 21-year-old England midfielder had used inappropriate language towards him during Saturday’s 1-1 match at Osasuna and issued a straight red card. Nonetheless, Bellingham and his manager Carlo Ancelotti indicated that the official erred.

“The professional referees are utterly disgusted by the threats and attacks directed at our colleague Jose Luis Munuera Montero via social media, which not only aim at him personally but also involve his family,” the RFEF stated in a message on Monday evening.

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“These assaults contribute to the animosity and verbal aggression that we endure while performing our professional duties every weekend, and that in the lower categories transforms, even more sadly, into physical violence in numerous instances.”

Bellingham might encounter an extended suspension based on regulations concerning the use of “offensive language or behavior” towards match officials, yet the player claimed the referee had misinterpreted his words.

“I’m an English player… and when I communicate on the field, it’s natural for me to use phrases that feel instinctive to me in English,” he told journalists on Saturday.

“There was no insult, you can see in the video right away, it was an expression to myself, I’m not even directing myself towards the referee. But obviously, there was a misunderstanding. He’s believed I’ve said it to him.”