Spanish referee who despatched off Jude Bellingham cleared of misconduct following investigation

Spanish referee Jose Luis Munuera Montero has been exonerated of any misconduct following an investigation by the nation’s soccer federation (RFEF) into a possible battle of curiosity involving his officiating and a non-public sports activities consultancy agency he co-owns.

In an announcement launched on Thursday, the RFEF confirmed that no disciplinary motion can be taken towards the 41-year-old referee, who confronted scrutiny after issuing a crimson card to Actual Madrid’s Jude Bellingham for utilizing foul language throughout Saturday’s 1-1 draw towards Osasuna.

Munuera deactivated his Instagram account after being inundated with 1000’s of feedback, together with insults and demise threats within the wake of the match.

The controversy intensified when newspapers Marca and AS reported that his firm, Talentus Sports activities Audio system, had enterprise hyperlinks with soccer organisations {and professional} golf equipment.

This prompted the RFEF to launch an inquiry to find out whether or not these affiliations had been suitable together with his position as a referee.

“Following the examine, evaluation and detailed verification of the industrial, company and accounting data, the financial exercise of those firms and the diploma of Munuera Montero’s participation in them, the RFEF’s Regulatory Compliance Division has concluded that there is no such thing as a actual or potential battle within the enterprise actions of the referee together with his work as a First Division referee,” the RFEF said.

🚀 @BellinghamJude 🚀 pic.twitter.com/b61v4kdRT2

— Actual Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) February 20, 2025

“Consequently, and in accordance with the inner rules on conflicts of curiosity and the RFEF’s good practices, there is no such thing as a motive in any way to justify the adoption of disciplinary measures towards Mr. Munuera Montero.”

Montero has denied any wrongdoing. He asserted on Tuesday that his firm had by no means invoiced any sports activities organisation since its institution and warned of potential authorized motion towards media retailers reporting in any other case.

“In current months, the disproportionate assault on the refereeing collective has grow to be evident, and on this newest event I’ve been the goal,” he stated.

The RFEF additionally addressed the widespread criticism geared toward Munuera, stating on Monday that referees had been appalled by the abuse he had obtained, which they considered as reflective of the broader hostility and verbal aggression confronted by match officers.

Bellingham, who defended himself by claiming that his remarks had been misunderstood as he was talking to himself in English, was handed a two-match suspension regardless of his attraction.