The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) has strongly denounced the 'repulsive' abuse directed at referee Jose Munuera Montero following his decision to send off Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham. The incident occurred during a tense 1-1 draw against Osasuna, where Bellingham received a straight red card for alleged foul language.

The RFEF released a statement expressing their disgust at the 'attacks and threats' Montero has faced on social media, with some even targeting his family. 'Professional referees are absolutely repulsed by the attacks and threats that our colleague Jose Luis Munuera Montero is receiving through social networks,' the statement read.

Bellingham, a former Birmingham City midfielder, defended his actions, claiming his words were 'misconstrued' by Montero. 'He believed that I said [something insulting] to him. There was no intent to insult him, there was no insult, and for that reason, I think you can see there was a misunderstanding,' Bellingham explained.

This incident comes at a critical time for Real Madrid, who have seen their seven-point lead at the top of La Liga diminish. Carlo Ancelotti's side is now level on points with rivals Barcelona but sits second due to an inferior goal difference.

Referee abuse is a growing concern in football, with the RFEF highlighting that such incidents are not limited to professional matches. '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,' the federation stated.