Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham Receives La Liga Ban for Red Card That Followed Disallowed Goal vs. Valencia
Jude Bellingham will be suspended for Real Madrid's next two games in La Liga as punishment for his red card after Saturday's 2-2 draw at Valencia.
The English midfielder thought he had scored a 99th-minute winner for Madrid but referee Jesus Gil Manzano had blown the full-time whistle two seconds before the ball hit the Valencia net.
Bellingham was furious and appeared the swear at the referee. He was widely quoted as shouting: "It's a f***ing goal, the ball is in the air. What the f*** is that."
Manzano responded by sending Bellingham off, even though the game had already finished.
Bellingham was widely expected to be hit with a three-match ban, but the Spanish Football Federation's disciplinary committee instead opted to issue a two-game suspension.
Madrid had appealed against the red card in a bid to avoid a ban completely but the committee dismissed the club's argument that the referee had made an "error".
In addition to his ban, Bellingham has been fined €600 ($652), while Madrid must pay a further €700 ($761).
Bellingham will miss Madrid's upcoming games against Celta Vigo and Osasuna but he will be available to face Athletic Bilbao on March 31.
His ban does not apply to matches in the UEFA Champions League.