The referees lose their fear and show the first red card to Florentino

BarcelonaThe expulsion of Jude Bellingham from El Sadar could mark a turning point in the relationship between Real Madrid players and referees. 24 league games, three Copa del Rey games and two Spanish Super Cup games have had to be played due to the first expulsion of a Real Madrid player for a lack of respect for the authorities. The Whites had the game on track this Saturday with a 0-1 against Osasuna until Bellingham told José Luis Munuera Montero "Fuck you", as described in the match report. The Andalusian referee did not hesitate and planted the red card in his face. The Englishman reacted with disbelief to the unexpected punishment and headed for the changing rooms.

The language used by Bellingham to address the referees is nothing new, because he had already used the same words to address the assistant in the Madrid derby that was played a week ago. On that occasion, Soto Grado's team did not take any disciplinary measures against the midfielder. The expulsion of a Madrid player for a lack of respect to the referee is an isolated event, taking into account the series of reactions from Vinícius that they have decided to tolerate.

Referees frightened by Vinícius' insolence

Vinícius' character has been a constant headache and the referees have not dared to respond forcefully to the Brazilian's repeated protests, they have preferred to look the other way to keep a low profile. The monster has grown and the forward's inconsiderations have increased, without finding a response in the form of an expulsion.

Vinícius began to uncover himself during the 2022-2023 season. In a Madrid-Almería he applauded Cuadra Fernández three times after receiving the yellow card and in Vallecas he addressed the fourth official to ironically tell him that they were having an "incredible game". In the Madrid-Barça Copa del Rey match, after being cautioned by Munuera Montero, he pointed his finger at him a few centimetres from his face, before being pushed away by Benzema. His discontent was made clear at Osasuna, when he decided to leave his team's line during the initial greeting so as not to have to shake the referees' hands.

In the 2023-2024 season, his style did not change one bit and Montjuïc was the scene of the most notable clash with the refereeing team. When he was heading to the touchline to be replaced by Lucas Vázquez, he slowed down the substitution and received a warning from the assistant. This infuriated Vinícius, who reacted with a "Don't touch me, you're crazy." During Espanyol's visit to the Bernabéu, Vinícius laughed at a decision by the referee, who was precisely Munuera Montero. The Brazilian was shown a yellow card for protesting, as were his teammates Mbappé and Bellingham.

This year, the controversial episodes have not stopped. In added time in Madrid-Alavés, Vinícius laughed at the fourth official despite having seen the warning beforehand. In Vallecas he confronted Martínez Munuera, calling him and gesticulating vehemently until Arda Güler restrained him. In Mestalla he attacked Dimitrievski and the VAR notified Soto Grado to review the action. When the referee showed him the red card, Vinícius lost his temper and was restrained by Rüdiger and one of Ancelotti's assistants.

A poisoned letter and a change of trend

Carlos Romero's harsh tackle on Kylian Mbappé, which was not penalised with a red card, shook the foundations of the Santiago Bernabéu and Florentino Pérez opened Pandora's box. Madrid sent a letter to the Royal Spanish Football Federation In the letter he denounced the corrupt refereeing system and questioned the integrity of the referees.

The white team placed the referees in the centre of the target, and what they have achieved, against all odds, is to reverse the trend: before the letter, 10 penalties had been called in favour of Madrid and none against them; since then, one had been called in favour of Madrid and two against them. In terms of expulsions, the whites had suffered two red cards, but they had also seen three rivals leave the pitch early; after the statement, the only expulsion was Bellingham's.