UEFA’s verdict on Munuera Montero comes days after he sent off Jude Bellingham for Real Madrid.
UEFA has made a decision on the referee who controversially dismissed Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham over the weekend.
Real drew 1-1 with Osasuna in La Liga, and Los Blancos were enraged at Bellingham’s second red card for the club at the end of the first half.
Bellingham appeared to tell referee Jose Luis Munuera Montero, “I am talking to you with respect,” but then walked away, perhaps saying “F*** off.”
The ref regarded Bellingham’s obscenity to be obvious dissent, despite Bellingham subsequently saying it “was an expression to myself” and having his explanation supported by manager Carlo Ancelotti.
Montero was not appointed to officiate any of the ten matches during the forthcoming La Liga matchweek due to horrible criticism, including death threats, according to Relevo.
However, it has surfaced that he is being investigated by the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) for a potential conflict of interest.
On the side, Montero is believed to have founded a consultancy and sports management firm whose clientele include La Liga, UEFA, and the RFEF, as well as Atletico Madrid.
While evidence is being collected, MARCA reports that Montero has been removed from his duties by UEFA and will not be able to officiate until his present case is resolved.
Although the investigation is still in its early stages, Montero might face a €100,000 fine and a five-year refereeing ban since officials must not “have secondary interests that may interfere with the fulfilment of their professional obligations”.
RFEF issued a statement.
The RFEF had put its support behind Montero before to the commencement of the probe into his firm, following significant online harassment.
“The professional referees are absolutely repulsed by the attacks and threats that our colleague Jose Luis Munuera Montero is receiving through social networks,” according to a statement.
“These attacks add to the hatred and verbal violence through which we have to carry out our professional work every weekend, and that in the base categories becomes, even more regrettably, physical violence in many cases.”
After hearing of Montero’s probe, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola encouraged supporters and journalists to “leave him alone.”
