Real Madrid hosted Osasuna at Estadio El Sadar in La Liga matchday 24 of the 2024/25 season and came back home with just a 1-1 draw. Mbappé had given the Merengues the advantage, but the red card to Jude Bellingham in the 39th minute transformed the game. Budimir equalized for Osasuna in the second half.
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Bellingham's questionable red card
The greatest moment of the game wasn't a goal, a stunning piece of play, or an incredible save — it was Bellingham's sending-off. The English midfielder was sent off with a straight red for arguing referee Munuera Montero's call, and it left Real Madrid players in shock.
According to Movistar+, Bellingham allegedly said: "I'm speaking to you respectfully, f*** off." Something that looked like an ordinary protest will have a heavy cost for the player. Insulting a referee according to the Disciplinary Code of the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) will cost four to 12 matches as suspension.
Ancelotti defends Bellingham and condemns officiating
Carlo Ancelotti did not attempt to hide his fury with the refereeing after the match. The coach insisted that a translation mistake was made and that Bellingham never insulted the referee.
I think the referee missed Bellingham's English because when he gave him a red card, he said 'f*** off,' not 'f*** you.' That is where he was wrong because its Spanish equivalent has the meaning 'don't f*** with me,' and it wasn't abusive," Ancelotti rationalized, trying to downplay the matter.
The coach also explained that if anything was to be said, it should be to Munuera Montero and not Bellingham. "Jude complained and said, 'Don't mess with me.' The red card was because the referee was nervous. I don't need to talk with Bellingham. Jude did nothing today to be sent off—the referee made a translation mistake."
Racist chants sully La Liga once again
Unfortunately, the match was also tainted by yet another racist assault on Vinicius Jr. Osasuna fans were heard chanting abusive remarks, such as "Vinicius, die," something that has been a cause for concern which La Liga is yet to lay to rest.
When asked about the incident, Ancelotti was as direct as always: "I think there's an organization looking into this. I was focused on what was happening on the pitch."
The impact on Real Madrid's title challenge
On the pitch, Real Madrid enjoyed some nice moments, but Bellingham's sending off evidently had an impact on the team's performance. Ancelotti praised the performance of his players: "I thought the front three were doing really well. Camavinga was playing great in defense. I didn't want to disturb the team's dynamic because they were playing with a lot of verticality… It's a shame, but we keep fighting."
The draw assisted Real Madrid to 51 points but could cost it the league leadership to Atlético Madrid, who has an additional game. If the Colchoneros win, they will leapfrog the current leadership, and the title race will become all the more intense.