Jude Bellingham, the English midfielder for Real Madrid, was sent off for a controversial comment made during Saturday’s encounter against Osasuna (1-1) that sparked intense debate in Spain. Bellingham possesses goals, leadership, dedication, and a fiery disposition. He will now play Manchester City on Wednesday in an attempt to atone.

Referee José Munuera Montero recorded the Briton saying “fuck you” at the end of the game at El Sadar. The player and Real Madrid, who want to appeal the red card, dispute this accusation, arguing that he actually shouted “fuck off.”

The Madrid team hopes to prove that the match report is untrue in this way, and they will ask for the card to be revoked in order to escape penalty.

To determine whether the remarks amount to an insult or just disrespect—that is, a serious or minor sanction—the Disciplinary Committee will meet on Wednesday. While the latter would result in a one- or two-game suspension, the former may result in a punishment ranging from four to twelve matches.

After the altercation, Bellingham claimed that the referee had misinterpreted him and expressed disappointment at disappointing his squad by dismissing him for dissent. “I’ve said enough about the misunderstanding, I just wanted to apologize again for putting my teammates in such a difficult position and thank the fans for their support and understanding,” he posted on social media on Sunday, expressing his regret to his teammates.

The Real Madrid playmaker went on, “We’ll see each other at home on Wednesday.”

Since coming to Spain in 2023, Bellingham has been sent off twice for clashing with officials. He scored 23 goals in 43 games in all competitions in his incredible debut season, but he missed three games because of similar disciplinary problems. He missed a game against Las Palmas in January of last year due to his accumulation of yellow cards, which resulted in his ban.

At Mestalla, he was given another straight red card for dissension. The referee captured the comment, “It’s a fucking goal,” and the player was banned for two games.

The 21-year-old midfielder has been given three match suspensions, nine yellow cards, and one red card overall during the 2023–2024 campaign. He could miss two games because he has already received seven yellow cards and one red card this season.

Real Madrid, aware that one of their top players, along with Brazilian Vinicius, is regularly cautioned, is alarmed by this startling number of bookings.

In terms of his play, Bellingham first had trouble figuring out where he fit into the attack once Kylian Mbappé, the French sensation, arrived this season and forced him into a deeper spot. After reaching double digits by the same point last season, he failed to score in his first 12 games.

Carlo Ancelotti, the manager, has commended the player’s work and offered encouragement. Bellingham has found his scoring groove again, scoring ten goals in his last 20 games and dishing out six assists.

After edging a thrilling 3-2 victory against City in the first leg of their playoff match thanks to a spectacular last-minute goal from the English prodigy, Bellingham will look to show off his best play on Wednesday in an attempt to move past the disappointment of the red card and guarantee qualification for the Champions League Round of 16.