There is no truce between Real Madrid and the referees. Another week of controversy, and in this case multiple controversies, as the Whites took on Osasuna at El Sadar. Jude Bellingham was sent off with a straight red card in a game in which the Whites were awarded several penalties, but it was the Rojillos who had their chance from eleven yards.
Munuera Montero left the Whites a man down in the 39th minute when he showed Bellingham a straight red card. The referee and the player engaged in a dialogue that ended with the Madrid player being sent off, reportedly for contempt or insult. It remains to be seen what the official report will reflect, because depending on the severity of the player’s words, the sanction can range from 2 to 12 games.
According to the disciplinary code of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), if Bellingham insulted Munuera Montero during the conversation between the English player and the referee, he faces a possible sanction of between four and 12 games. “Insulting, abusing or addressing the main referee, assistants, fourth official, directors or sports authorities in an insulting manner or attitude, unless it constitutes a more serious offence, shall be sanctioned with a suspension of four to twelve matches,” reads article 94.
If the referee’s report contains only one instance of contempt, the punishment would be less severe: “Addressing the referees, managers or sports authorities in a contemptuous or inconsiderate manner or attitude, provided that the act does not constitute a more serious offense, shall be punished with a suspension of two to three games or for a period of up to one month,” reads Article 117.
In addition to the expulsion of the English player, Real Madrid protested on several occasions when it was felt that a penalty had been awarded and neither Munuera Montero nor the VAR considered it. The first of these was when the Osasuna defender used his hand to prevent Vinicius from dribbling. In fact, the Brazilian player stopped play because he thought he was going to receive the maximum penalty. Although he is on the ground, he is open; it is not a natural position because he raises his hand a little to touch it.
An action at the beginning of the game that would be followed minutes later by another controversy, again with the Madrid number 7 as the protagonist. Vinicius was clearly tripped. The maximum penalty was not given, as Ancelotti’s reaction was that it was “a clear penalty”.
Carvajal’s protests
Another refereeing controversy involving Real Madrid came weeks after the events at the Espanyol stadium, where Romero was not shown a red card for a tackle on Mbappé, with Real Madrid issuing a statement and LaLiga denouncing the Whites for their words. In light of what happened at El Sadar, Carvajal did not mince his words on social media: “This time he should have been sent off.