Jose Luis Munuera Montero, the referee who recently dismissed Jude Bellingham during Real Madrid’s draw with Osasuna, has spoken out when it was discovered that an investigation had been initiated into the incident. During a league encounter between the two Spanish clubs, the Englishman received a straight red card in the 39th minute after an altercation with an official.
Fans were taken aback when Bellingham was sent off, but replays revealed he had spoken with Montero just before receiving his marching orders. Then, after Spanish TV channel Movistar broadcast film of the Madrid player swearing, he explained what happened and confessed that he had sworn, but not at the referee, saying: “I shouted the words to myself (F**k off), not to the referee; I had already turned away. It’s difficult when the referee claims I insulted him, when I plainly did not. I’m delighted the films are out as evidence, which contradicts the match report.”
Bellingham has had previous incidents with Montero. Following the red card, video emerged of the star clashing with the referee earlier in the season. Now that a complete investigation has been initiated, Montero has addressed the subject for the first time.
Montero released a statement.
He discussed the incident on social media.
Shortly after it was reported that the Spanish Football Federation would open an inquiry into the altercation between Bellingham and Montero, the referee spoke out for the first time, issuing a statement on Instagram via Relevo. He refuted any allegations of corruption and pledged legal action against the media. Football Espana quoted him as saying:
“In recent months, there has been an excessive onslaught on the refereeing collective, this time with me as the protagonist. Since its inception, Talentus Sports Speakers, owned by referee José Luis Munuera, has not charged any amount to any sports entity, including clubs, federations, and sports sector companies.
“I anticipate that I will exercise the corresponding civil and criminal actions against those media that intentionally or recklessly have disseminated falsehoods or incorrect or biassed information, generating irreparable damage to the professional prestige, reputation of myself and the refereeing group, as well as to my own personal privacy and that of third parties.”
As a result of the continuing inquiry, Montero will not be considered for future La Liga games or European events such as the Champions League.
Montero claimed his family has been harassed as a result of the incident with the red card.
Montero has received substantial condemnation for his decision to dismiss Bellingham. He is not the only one, and he also discussed the difficulties his family has encountered as they have been targeted. When asked about the impact the incident had on his siblings and his elderly father, he said:
“I have been shut up at home all day. It’s extremely hard. It’s already too much for my family. They’re tampering with my nine siblings… My 80-year-old father’s had enough. Today he attended church. Are we crazy? “This is getting out of hand.”
❗Munuera Montero (referee who sent off Bellingham) in tears: "I've been locked up at home all day. It's very hard. It's already too much with my family. They are messing with my nine siblings… My 80 year old father has had enough. Today he went to church. Are we crazy? This is… pic.twitter.com/u8rhqjyZJ9
— Barça Universal (@BarcaUniversal) February 19, 2025
