Referee at centre of Jude Bellingham controversy speaks out as UEFA make huge call ahead of Real Madrid vs Man City

The Spanish referee at the centre of the controversial decision to send off Jude Bellingham during Saturday's La Liga clash between Real Madrid and Osasuna has broken his silence.

Jose Luis Munuera Montero, 41, showed Bellingham a straight red card for a comment which he deemed to be dissent.

Bellingham, meanwhile, has denied insulting the official, saying: "There was no intent to insult him, there was no insult, and for that reason I think you can see there was a misunderstanding."

Speaking after the full-time whistle, Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti gave an insight into why the England international was sent off as he suggested a misunderstanding between player and referee.

“I think the referee did not understand Jude Bellingham’s English," Ancelotti said. "He said f*ck off, not f*ck you… that’s way different. I won’t talk more about the referee as I want to be on the bench next week."

Since the red card incident, reports in Spain have claimed that Talentus Sports Speakers – a company linked with the official – has business relationships with La Liga, the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) and several clubs.

In fact, Jose Luis Munuera Montero is currently under investigation from RFEF over a potential conflict of interest and has been taken off refereeing duties by UEFA, say MARCA, who claim he will not officiate until the conclusion of his current case.

Now, the official has publicly denied claims of a conflict of interest as he appeared on Cadena Cope.

“I was the first to see all of this hoax, these lies," he said. "I have been an active part in clarifying this company that has been operating for a year and with which I have given four or five conferences and transmit the values ​​of sport to young people.

"I am very calm and I want to deny all the lies to which we have become accustomed in recent months.”

As well as confirming his plans to take legal action over the allegations, Montero opened up on the impact its had on his family.

"This attack is a problem that has been going on for a long time," he added. "What hurts me the most is not me, but that this is getting out of hand and affecting my family."

Jude Bellingham was sent off for Real Madrid against Osasuna. Image credit: Getty

The Spanish Football Federation has condemned the "repulsive" abuse Montero has suffered since Saturday's game between Real Madrid and Osasuna.

"The professional referees are absolutely repulsed by the attacks and threats that our colleague Jose Luis Munuera Montero is receiving through social networks," they said in a statement.

"These attacks add to the hatred and verbal violence through which we have to carry out our professional work every weekend, and that in the base categories becomes, even more regrettably, physical violence in many cases."