Cristiano Ronaldo's previous warning about Spanish referees has resurfaced following Jude Bellingham's red card for abusive language.
According to Mail Online, the English star was sent off during Real Madrid's 1-1 draw with Osasuna on Saturday, February 15, 2025, by referee Jose Luis Munuera Montero for allegedly using a foul word.
The 21-year-old strongly denied being abusive towards the referee, while Montero claimed that Bellingham said, "F*** you." Bellingham clarified that he actually said, "F*** off," and that those words were directed at himself during the match, not at the referee.
After the match, Madrid's manager, Carlo Ancelotti, commented, "I think the referee did not understand Jude Bellingham's English. He said 'f*** off,' not 'f*** you'... That's quite different. I won’t say more about the referee because I want to be on the bench next week."
Additionally, following this incident, an interview from 2018 featuring Ronaldo was rediscovered, in which he mentioned to La Sexta, "I played in England for many years. For example, when there is a foul, the English often say 'f*** off,' and the referees don't react. But if you say it here, they show you the red card."
In a post-match interview, Bellingham emphasized that there was a "communication error" and maintained that he did not say anything disrespectful to Montero.
