February 19 – The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has condemned the “repulsive” abuse suffered by referee Jose Munuera Montero since his decision to send off Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham.
Montero showed Bellingham a straight red card for foul language in the 39th minute of the recent 1-1 draw with Osasuna following an alleged exchange between the two.
The England midfielder admitted he had sworn, but it wasn’t aimed at 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.”
“I said the words to myself (F**k off), not to the referee, I already turned away. It’s difficult when the referee says I insulted him, when I clearly didn’t. I am glad the videos are out as evidence, which goes against the match report.”
Montero has since received abuse on social media, while his family have also been targeted.
“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.”
Bellingham is now facing a lengthy ban, at a time when Real Madrid are winless in their last three league matches and are now level on points with rivals Barcelona.
In a statement on Instagram, Montero claimed a “disproportionate attack on the refereeing community has become apparent in recent months, and on this latest occasion, I am the protagonist.”
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1740178278labto1740178278ofdlr1740178278owedi1740178278sni@w1740178278ahsra1740178278w.wer1740178278dna1740178278