Real Madrid are growing increasingly concerned about Jude Bellingham’s behaviour when dealing with referees, claims a report from SPORT.
The English midfielder has been a revelation on the pitch, but his attitude towards match officials is becoming a growing issue for the club.
His frequent protests and confrontational approach have started to work against him, with referees now taking note of his reactions.
Bellingham’s passionate nature is evident whenever he disagrees with a decision, but his outspoken approach is earning him unnecessary bookings.
While his interactions with opponents are generally respectful, his disputes with referees have become a recurring theme. This is in contrast to his teammate Vinicius Jr., whose temperament has led to clashes not only with referees but also with teammates.
While Vinicius’ behaviour has been widely scrutinised, Bellingham appears to be heading in a similar direction, despite maintaining better relations with fellow players.
So far this season, the Englishman has accumulated seven yellow cards and one red card. Out of these, three bookings were for arguing with officials, one was for an altercation with an opponent, and the remaining three were for fouls.
His red card in the recent match against Osasuna also stemmed from dissent, which could now result in a suspension. Although Real Madrid are appealing the decision, it is unlikely that his ban will be reduced to fewer than two matches.
This pattern is not new. Last season, Bellingham received a total of ten yellow cards across all competitions. Three of these were for arguing with referees, two were for physical altercations with opponents, and five were for fouls.
Additionally, he was sent off in a controversial moment against Valencia when his last-second goal was disallowed, leading to a heated exchange with referee Gil Manzano.
His reaction earned him a two-game suspension, which was later extended due to an accumulation of yellow cards.
Since joining Real Madrid, Bellingham has received 17 yellow cards and two red cards—a tally that highlights the growing issue of his disciplinary record.
However, he is still far behind Vinicius, who has amassed 58 yellow cards (including three during his time with Castilla) and two red cards in seven seasons.
The majority of Vinicius’ bookings have come from dissent or altercations with opponents, setting a precedent that Bellingham now seems to be following.
While Bellingham is not as vocal in his protests as Vinicius, his frequent disputes with referees are becoming a concern.