Real Madrid’s appeal against Jude Bellingham’s two-match ban has been rejected by the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) Appeal Committee. The England midfielder will serve the ban and miss two crucial games against Girona and Real Betis.
Bellingham was sent off against Osasuna after referee Jose Luis Munuera Montero accused him of using abusive language. Real Madrid argued that the referee misunderstood the 21-year-old’s intentions. Munuera Montero reportedly thought Bellingham had insulted him. However, the England international insisted that he had only used foul language and had not intended to insult the referee.
Although the maximum possible ban is 12 games, the RFEF has only imposed a two-game ban in La Liga. Madrid nevertheless decided to appeal but was unsuccessful.
The decision further increased Real Madrid’s dissatisfaction with refereeing in La Liga this season. Real Madrid have repeatedly spoken out about what they see as “double standards” when it comes to refereeing matches involving them. The club have even lodged an official complaint with the RFEF.
Coach Carlo Ancelotti has also expressed his displeasure following the incident, stating that “La Liga has a problem” and that Madrid must continue to fight for justice.
Real Madrid are currently second in La Liga, level on points with Barca but behind on goal difference.
Real Madrid established themselves as a major force in Spanish and European football during the 1950s, winning five consecutive European Cups and reaching the final seven times. This success was replicated in the competition, which the club won five times in a seven-year period. This squad, which included Alfredo Di Stéfano, Ferenc Puskás, Francisco Gento and Raymond Kopa, is considered the greatest of all time.
In 1929, the Spanish National Championship was established. Real Madrid led the first season until the final match, when a defeat to Athletic Bilbao left them in second place behind Barcelona. The team won the National Championship in the 1931–1932 season and became the first team to successfully defend the title the following season.