Barcelona boss Flick labels Bellingham ‘disrespectful’ with midfielder facing possible lengthy ban following red card | OneFootball

Barcelona boss Hansi Flick called Jude Bellingham disrespectful after the Real Madrid midfielder’s red card for appearing to insult the referee in their draw with Osasuna.

Bellingham appeared to tell the referee to “f*** off” and was given a straight red card as Kylian Mbappe’s first-half opener was later cancelled out by an Osasuna spot-kick.

The England star insisted to the Spanish media afterwards that it was simply a misunderstanding, however.

“I do not want to go into the details of what was said, but I didn’t insult the referee,” he said.

“I hope they review the footage because it was a misunderstanding, but I am here to apologise to the team as I put them in a difficult situation.”

He also added in a later statement: “Enough said about the misunderstanding.

“Just wanted to apologise again for leaving my team-mates in such a tough position and thank the fans for their support and understanding.

“See you on Wednesday at home.”

Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti also questioned the referee’s decision, saying: “I think the referee did not understand Jude Bellingham’s English. He said f** off, not f** you… that’s way different.

“I won’t talk more about the referee as I want to be on the bench next week.”

Bellingham could face a long ban, with the the Spanish FA’s disciplinary Code noting that any player guilty of “insulting, offending, or addressing the main referee, assistants, fourth official, directors, or sports authorities in offensive terms or attitudes” will be punished with a suspension of four to 12 matches.

The manager of rivals Barcelona also weighed in on the controversy, telling reporters: “It is disrespectful but I’m not the one who should comment on it,” he said.

“I don’t like the behaviour I saw yesterday and I told the players that today. It’s a weakness when you get a red card.”