14 February 2024 , 13:12
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Jude Bellingham could be handed a four-game ban if he is found to have called Mason Greenwood a “rapist” earlier this month.
Getafe complained to La Liga after alleging that Bellingham had abused Greenwood during a 2-0 win for Real Madrid on February 1. The two were involved in a clash near the touchline in the game and television cameras showed Bellingham saying something to the on-loan Manchester United forward.
It was not clear what the England midfielder had said, but Getafe requested for the incident to be included in the referee's official match report. Spanish outlet Cope now reports that the RFEF Competition Committee has received a report from experts and are considering the next steps.
The report states that an expert lip reader has been used to determine whether Bellingham called Greenwood a “rapist” or “rubbish”. A judge will be appointed and is expected to make a decision in around 15 days on whether to propose a sanction or dismiss the allegation.
La Liga ’s regulations state that, if found guilty, Bellingham could be suspended for up to four matches. The 20-year-old is currently out injured having picked up a sprained ankle in the 4-0 win over Girona on Saturday.
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Greenwood joined Getafe on loan in the summer after United decided he could no longer continue his career with the club. The 22-year-old striker was arrested in October 2022 and was subsequently charged with attempted rape, engaging in controlling and coercive behaviour, and assault occasioning actual bodily harm. Those charges were later dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service.
He has contributed seven goals and five assists in 23 appearances across all competitions for Getafe and is expected to leave United on a permanent basis in the summer transfer window.
Jude Bellingham is alleged to have made the comment towards Mason Greenwood in a La Liga match (Twitter)Bellingham was missing from the Real side which beat RB Leipzig 1-0 in the first leg of their last-16 Champions League tie on Tuesday night. Carlo Ancelotti’s side picked up a vital victory in Germany thanks to a goal from Brahim Diaz, who paid tribute to Bellingham after the game.
"I love [Bellingham]," Diaz told Movistar. "From the first moment, we've got on really well. I'm helping him with his Spanish. He's a world-class player, I enjoy playing with him. Apart from the charisma he has, he's a great person. Despite the absences of Jude, who we missed, and of [Antonio] Rudiger, and all those [players] who are out injured for a long time, we keep showing that we're a great team, that we're Real Madrid."
Bellingham has been in exceptional form since joining Real from Borussia Dortmund for £88.5million in the summer. He has a staggering 20 goals and eight assists in 29 appearances in all competitions.