02 February 2024 , 11:39
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An expert lip reader has claimed Jude Bellingham DID call Mason Greenwood 'a rapist' during Real Madrid's La Liga clash with Getafe on Thursday night.
The incident in question took place after Bellingham tackled the Manchester United loanee near the touchline. Having caught Greenwood in possession and clearing the ball out for a throw in, television cameras showed the Real Madrid superstar mutter something in the direction of Greenwood, but there was no audio to confirm what was said.
Following the full-time whistle, Spanish publication Cadena SER reported that Getafe have requested for Bellingham's alleged comment to be included in the referee's official match report and approached the La Liga delegate who was in attendance.
While analysing the clip, expert lip-reader Jeremy Freeman has exclusively told Mirror Football: "Upon a forensic examination of the provided clip, I am very confident that the word articulated is 'rapist'. This conclusion is strongly influenced by the specific context in which the word was used.
"The lip movements distinctly form the sounds corresponding to 'R' and 'P', concluding with an abrupt stop, which aligns with the word in question. The speaker's accent, which appears to be distinctly Brummie, has also been taken into consideration in making this determination.
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"Considering the visual evidence and the lack of any other word fitting the observed lip patterns and context, I am confident in this assessment."
If La Liga judge Bellingham to have said the word to Greenwood, the former Birmingham and Borussia Dortmund ace could be handed a significant punishment by league officials.
Previously, Greenwood had been charged with attempted rape, assault, and coercive behaviour in January 2022 but charges were eventually dropped in February of last year by the Crown Prosecution Service.
Bellingham is alleged to have made the comment towards Mason Greenwood in a La Liga match (Twitter)Following an internal investigation by parent club United, Greenwood was sent out on loan to Getafe and is expected to leave the Red Devils permanently in the future. Rumours that the United academy graduate could potentially return to the first-team fold before his switch to Getafa sparked a huge backlash.
Since his arrival in Spain, Greenwood has bagged six goals in 21 appearances for Getafe, as well as registering four assists across all competitions. The Spanish outfit currently sit 10th in the La Liga table.