Spain discusses the grammatical nuances of Bellingham’s profanity

Jude Bellingham, a midfield player for Real Madrid, was sent off for verbally insulting a referee on Saturday, sparking an unusual discussion on cultural interpretations and translations of English vulgarity in Spain.

Bellingham’s unusual explanation that he just “fuck off” rather than yelling “fuck you” at the official was a topic of discussion on Monday’s major TV shows, radio phone-ins, newspaper front pages, and big websites.

In Saturday’s La Liga 1-1 draw at Osasuna, Bellingham, 21, was sent off after referee Jose Munuera Montero thought the England attacker had used derogatory words against him. Bellingham and his coach Carlo Ancelotti, however, claimed the official was in error.

Bellingham told reporters on Saturday, “I’m an English player… and it’s normal that I use expressions that come naturally to me in English when I speak on the pitch.”

“You can immediately tell in the video that there was no insult; it was a self-expression, and I wasn’t even pointing at the referee. However, there was clearly a miscommunication. He thinks I’ve told him that.

“I’ve watched the footage, and the referee’s report doesn’t match it. I’m hoping the video will be examined and found to be different from the story.

Ancelotti, who coached Chelsea and Everton in England, supported his players’ defense. The referee, I believe, misinterpreted Bellingham’s English. “I don’t find it offensive at all, but the translation is different,” he remarked.

“The referee’s anxiousness is the reason for the red card. Bellingham has not taken any action to be dismissed. Nothing at all.”

Punishments are rare in the Premier League, and players frequently use foul language when decisions don’t go their way.

When asked about the event, Hansi Flick, the manager of Barcelona, had a different opinion. “It is a lack of respect in any situation,” the German stated.

“Insulting, offending, or addressing the main referee, assistants, fourth official, directors, or sports authorities in offensive terms or attitudes” might result in the forward receiving a four- to 12-game suspension.

Bellingham continued: “What you have to understand is that there is a lot of emotion on the pitch and these details can cost you games.”That feeling might not give you the best of you, but I don’t think that’s the case; lip reading shows that I’ve been composed, which isn’t what the record indicates.

“I’m calm, because I know I’ve only said an expression to myself that I’ve said since I was 16 or 17 years old.”

Although Bellingham’s defense will confound many spectators, the player can cite a recent instance that would support his position.

In a match against Rayo Vallecano last season, Getafe successfully reversed the dismissal of English scorer Mason Greenwood due to an almost identical mistake.