Bellingham gets two-game LaLiga ban for ‘disrespecting’ ref

Jude Bellingham has been suspended for two La Liga matches for “contemptuous or disrespectful attitude towards a referee” after receiving a red card following Real Madrid's controversial 2-2 draw at Valencia, the Spanish competition commission confirmed on Wednesday .

The England international was shown a red card for arguing with referee Jesús Gil Manzano, who had already blown his whistle moments before Bellingham scored what would have been a winning header.

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The referee's post-match report stated that Bellingham displayed an “aggressive attitude” and allegedly shouted “It's a f***ing goal” several times.

The Spanish Football Federation's disciplinary committee on Wednesday imposed a two-match suspension on Bellingham — the minimum possible for the offense, according to its regulations — for what it called “attitudes of disrespect or lack of consideration towards the referee. €700 fine for the club, and €600 for the player.

In his testimony before the commission, Madrid argued that Bellingham had not displayed an aggressive attitude, said the player had only spoken once to the referee and denied that his comments were offensive or insulting.

The committee found that the club had not proven its case beyond doubt based on the evidence presented, and the body therefore had to accept the arbitrator's interpretation of Bellingham's conduct.

Bellingham will miss Madrid's La Liga matches against Celta Vigo on Sunday and Osasuna on March 16, and will return for their match against Athletic Club on March 31.

He is expected to play for Madrid in the Champions League round of 16 on Wednesday, when they host RB Leipzig in the second leg at the Bernabéu.

Bellingham is also one yellow card away from a possible one-match suspension in the Champions League after already receiving two this season.