Jude Bellingham actions showed 'disrespect' in controversial red card at Osasuna, says Barcelona boss Hansi Flick
Updated 17/02/2025 at 11:41 GMT
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Barcelona manager Hansi Flick said Jude Bellingham's behaviour constituted "disrespect" after the England international was sent off for dissent during Real Madrid's 1-1 draw with Osasuna on Saturday. The 21-year-old was shown a straight red card for something he was deemed to have said to referee Jose Luis Munuera Montero. Bellingham has since insisted that the incident was a "misunderstanding".
‘It is disrespect’ – Flick hits out at Bellingham comments that led to red card
Video credit: SNTV
Barcelona boss Hansi Flick said Jude Bellingham's actions constituted "disrespect" after the England international was sent off for dissent during Real Madrid's 1-1 draw at Osasuna on Saturday.
Bellingham was shown a straight red in the first half for something he was deemed to have said to referee Jose Luis Munuera Montero.
While the 21-year-old has since insisted the incident was merely a "misunderstanding", Barcelona boss Flick has claimed the player’s behaviour was "disrespectful".
"It’s not nice. It’s disrespect," Flick insisted. "For me, it’s like that. But I don’t have to decide. It’s not up to me to decide the situation. This is what I always say to my players.
"Why do you waste your energy to speak or discuss with the referee about a decision he made?
"There is a player, who is the captain, who has the right to argue with the referee.
"I don't like the behaviour I saw. It's a weakness when you get a red card."
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Image credit: Getty Images
The draw saw Real Madrid remain just one point clear of second-placed Atletico Madrid at the La Liga summit.
However, Barcelona can take top spot on goal difference should they beat Rayo Vallecano on Monday.
On the league standings, Flick added: "We don’t look at the table. At the end, we have to see what happens. But it’s a long way until the end.
"And of course we want to show the performance that we’ve done since we started the new year.
"I have the feeling during training that the team have more confidence. They believe in their strength, and they have fun. Fun to train and to play with each other. This is the important thing."
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Why was Bellingham sent off?
Bellingham is thought to have said an expletive as Real prepared to take a goal kick in the first half.
The midfielder, however, has since insisted that it was not an insult towards the referee, while his manager, Carlo Ancelotti, backed up his assertion.
Bellingham said of the incident: "I do not want to go into the details of what was said, but I didn’t insult the referee and I hope they review the footage because it was a misunderstanding, but I am here to apologise to the team anyways."
In La Liga, players tend to receive a two-match suspension for a red card due to dissent.
However, as per article 94 of the Royal Spanish Football Federation’s Disciplinary Code, a player could be banned for between four and 12 matches should they insult a referee.
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