'No innocent Brummie abroad' - Karren Brady weighs in on Jude Bellingham red card debate as she slams 'gruesome bile' aimed at refs by players & tells Real Madrid star to be more like American tennis legend

The England international received a straight red card during Madrid’s 1-1 draw after allegedly directing an expletive at referee Jose Luis Munuera Montero. While Bellingham denied aiming the remark at the official, insisting it was self-directed frustration, the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) deemed his reaction inappropriate, resulting in a two-game suspension.

In an effort to overturn the ban, Real Madrid presented video footage to the Disciplinary Committee. However, the appeal failed to achieve its desired result and the proof was discarded as "not relevant".

In her column for The Sun, Brady, who is a former managing director at the club where Bellingham started his career, Birmingham City, reflected on how criticism of referees has become an ingrained part of football culture.

"Fierce criticism of referees is practically a national habit, either in stadiums or at the TV. And why not? If we wish to send hot air at such targets and without much chance of reprisal, well, good luck to us," she wrote.

She then questioned whether Bellingham had crossed the line with his remarks.

"Did Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham stray too far when he muttered 'f*** off' or 'f*** you' in the direction of referee Jose Luis Munuera Montero?" she asked.

"The hugely talented 21-year-old says it was directed at himself. The ref said it was aimed at him and he had the red card! Bellingham is no innocent Brummie abroad. He has been sent off as a Real player once before and should know that while 'f*** off' is often aimed at someone’s own failings, it can easily be misunderstood. There is a much bigger aspect to this. On-field reaction to rulings might be generally overlooked. In the real world, not so much. No one expects going to a match to be like attending church, but some of the bile delivered at refs and players is gruesome."

Brady went on to compare football’s emotional nature to other sports, highlighting how athletes across different disciplines deal with frustration. She emphasised that while controversial calls are bound to happen in a fast-paced sport like football, players must find ways to express their disagreement without risking disciplinary action.

"Football is emotional and action never stops: No wonder, then, that VAR can be so controversial," she said.

"But one sport had an appeal of its own — tennis with John McEnroe v Umpire. He pleaded 'you cannot be serious'. Perfect. It is what Bellingham could say and then get on with the game."

With the suspension confirmed, Bellingham will now be unavailable for Real Madrid’s encounter against Girona on February 23, while he'll also be out of the clash with Real Betis on March 2.