Jude Bellingham has been handed a two-game ban by LaLiga’s competition committee for what it deemed as “contemptuous or disrespectful attitudes towards a referee” following an incident in Real Madrid’s contentious 2-2 draw at Valencia.
The England international received a red card for disputing with referee Jesús Gil Manzano, who had blown the whistle just before Bellingham scored a potentially winning header.
The referee’s post-match report accused Bellingham of displaying an aggressive attitude and using profane language.
Madrid argued against the severity of the punishment, asserting that Bellingham’s actions were not aggressive and that his words were not offensive.
However, the committee upheld the ban, along with fines for both the player and the club. As a result, Bellingham will miss Madrid’s upcoming matches against Celta Vigo and Osasuna.
The Spanish Football Federation’s Disciplinary Committee handed Bellingham a two-game ban — the minimum possible for the offence, under its rules — on Wednesday, for what it called “attitudes of disrespect or a lack of consideration towards the referee,” with a €700 fine for the club, and €600 for the player.
Despite this setback, he is expected to feature in the Champions League round of 16 clash against RB Leipzig.
Bellingham is also one yellow card away from a possible one-match suspension in the Champions League after picking up two already this season.
