Jude Bellingham has spoken out following his controversial red card, insisting that his words were misinterpreted and that he never intended to insult the referee.
The Real Madrid midfielder, who was sent off in a heated match, clarified the situation after the game. “I didn’t say anything bad to the referee. It’s clear that there was a communication error,” he explained.
According to Bellingham, his remark was simply an expression of frustration, similar to the commonly used Spanish term ‘joder’. However, the consequence of this misunderstanding meant that Madrid had to finish the game with one less player.
The England international emphasized that he never disrespected the referee, adding: “It’s not an insult, it was an expression for myself.”
He also expressed relief that video footage could support his claim despite what was written in the referee’s official report. “I never insulted the referee. I’m glad to see there are videos to show the reality,” he said.
However, Bellingham still took responsibility for the impact of his sending-off, apologizing to his teammates for putting them in a difficult position.
Carlo Ancelotti, Real Madrid’s head coach, also weighed in on the controversy, suggesting that the referee simply misunderstood Bellingham’s words. “I think the referee did not understand Jude Bellingham’s English. He said ‘fck off,’ not ‘fck you’… that’s very different,” Ancelotti remarked, highlighting the fine line between frustration and direct insult.
When asked whether he would have a word with Bellingham about the incident, Ancelotti made his stance clear. “I’ve nothing to say to Jude. I should talk to the referee, not to Jude.” He also chose to avoid further discussion on the officiating, jokingly adding, “I won’t talk more about the referee as I want to be on the bench next week.”
The incident has sparked debate, with fans and pundits questioning whether referees should take context and language barriers into greater consideration. While Bellingham has owned up to the consequences of his words, the controversy surrounding his dismissal will likely continue to be a talking point in the days ahead.