Abuse of referee who sent off Bellingham ‘repulsive’ – Spanish Football Federation

The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has strongly condemned the “repulsive” abuse directed at referee Jose Munuera Montero following his decision to send off Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham.

Bellingham, the England international, was shown a straight red card by Montero during Saturday’s 1-1 draw against Osasuna for using foul language.

Since the incident, Montero has faced online abuse, with his family also being targeted. The RFEF has denounced these actions, calling for respect and accountability.

“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.”

Former Birmingham City midfielder Bellingham said his language was misconstrued by referee Montero.

“He believed that I said [something insulting] to him,” said Bellingham.

“There was no intent to insult him, there was no insult, and for that reason I think you can see there was a misunderstanding.”

Bellingham is now facing a lengthy ban, at a time when Real Madrid have allowed a seven-point lead to slip at the top of the La Liga table.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side are winless in their last three league matches and are now level on points with rivals Barcelona but are second because they have an inferior goal difference.