Real Madrid Relies on Precedent to Avoid Jude's Red Card Sanction

The controversy of Matchday 24 of LaLiga, at least from Real Madrid's perspective, lies in the expulsion of Jude Bellingham at El Sadar. The English footballer, according to the referee's report written by Munuera Montero, allegedly addressed the referee in very poor terms, even going so far as to insult him in English. The images of the moment captured by the cameras, however, show a completely different version.

It is precisely this difference that Real Madrid will rely on in the appeal they will present to the Competition Committee for the direct red card seen by the British '5'. There are several precedents regarding this type of behavior and the associated sanctions. One of the most optimistic occurred just over a year ago and was led by another English footballer.

On January 2, 2024, Figueroa Vázquez decided to expel Mason Greenwood with a direct red card in a match played at the Coliseum. The former Manchester United footballer, then on loan at Getafe, found himself in a similar situation for saying "fuck sake" to the referee in charge of that match. It was José Bordalás, the Getafe coach, who contradicted the version of Figueroa Vázquez's report in the press room.

Taking into account the two different versions, as in the case of Jude Bellingham, Getafe filed an appeal with the Competition Committee. For the instruction and investigation of the moment, a lip-reading specialist was hired, who ended up supporting and validating Getafe's thesis. Given the evidence presented, the Competition Committee decided to lift the sanction and Mason Greenwood was present in the next match of the Madrid team.

Many Doubts

A similar situation could be experienced by Jude Bellingham. From the offices of Valdebebas, they are clear that the different versions, the report, and the images captured by the cameras, could lead to the '5' being exonerated from his 'punishment'. The "unjust" sanction, as understood by the merengue entity, has a very clear and optimistic precedent for Bellingham to return immediately to the white sports discipline.

But there are also other situations solved in the past that are not so favorable to Real Madrid's chances. The expulsion of Mumin, a player from Rayo Vallecano, also during the last season, provides a significant reason that could give the Competition Committee grounds to reject the Madrid appeal.

The footballer from 'La Franja' saw the red card for saying "fuck off, man", an expression identical to the one used by the 'pride of Birmingham' in the match at El Sadar. In that situation, the Competition Committee reviewed the case and decreed a two-match suspension for the Ghanaian defender. The white board hopes that what happened at Osasuna's stadium doesn't affect one of Carlo Ancelotti's most important footballers.

The Reggiolo coach, if this appeal fails, could be without the midfielder for between four and twelve matches, a sanction stipulated in LaLiga's disciplinary regulations. Jude Bellingham's words, in any case, will bring many more debates and set another precedent... although it remains to be seen of what kind.