Real Madrid may follow Mason Greenwood precedent to overturn Bellingham ban | OneFootball

Real Madrid may explore a recent precedent in Spanish football to challenge the suspension of their star midfielder Jude Bellingham.

According to SPORT, the club could attempt to alter the referee’s report using video evidence, much like Getafe did in the case of Mason Greenwood in 2024.

The situation arises from the sending-off of the English midfielder during a recent match. The referee, Munuera Montero, recorded in his match report that the player directed offensive language towards him, which led to the red card.

However, both the player and manager Carlo Ancelotti insisted afterward that the words were misunderstood.

They argued that instead of directly insulting the referee, the player used an expression commonly heard among English footballers, which was misinterpreted when translated into Spanish.

The Greenwood case

This scenario draws similarities to an incident involving Greenwood. On 2 January 2024, during a game between Getafe and Rayo Vallecano, the match official, Pulido Santana, sent off Greenwood in the 50th minute.

The referee claimed in his report that the player insulted him, using words similar to those noted in the current case. However, Getafe strongly disputed the claim.

Former Getafe forward Mason Greenwood faced a similar situation in 2024. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

Their manager, Jose Bordalas, denied that Greenwood had said anything inappropriate and argued that his words were taken out of context.

The club then provided a detailed report along with video evidence, demonstrating that the actual phrase spoken was different from what was written in the referee’s notes. T

he footage revealed that Greenwood had not insulted the referee but instead used a frustrated expression common in English. As a result, the Disciplinary Committee ruled in Getafe’s favour, overturning the red card and allowing Greenwood to continue playing without suspension.

Real Madrid planning the same

Now, Real Madrid might attempt a similar approach to protect their key midfielder from a ban. While the words in this case might not be as harmless as those in the Greenwood incident, the club could still challenge the official report.

If they succeed in presenting evidence that contradicts the referee’s version, there is a chance that the player could avoid punishment altogether.

This strategy is not unprecedented in La Liga, and Real Madrid will be keen to explore any possible avenue to ensure their star remains available for upcoming matches.