Real Madrid midfielder, Jude Bellingham, could be handed a 12-match ban over his X-rated rant at referee, Jose Luis Munuera Montero, which saw him receive a red card against Osasuna on Saturday.

Montero gave Bellingham his marching orders in the 39th minute of the game for using foul and abusive language.

But the England international is adamant he was not abusive towards the official.

Montero had accused Bellingham of telling him: “F*** you”.

Bellingham claims that he had said: “f*** off” and that the words were aimed at himself in frustration, rather than at the referee.

It remains to be seen whether Madrid will appeal for the red card to be overturned.

However, the Spanish FA’s disciplinary Code stipulates that any player guilty of “insulting, offending, or addressing the main referee, assistants, fourth official, directors, or sports authorities in offensive terms or attitudes” will be punished with a suspension of four to 12 matches.

If that ban is enforced, Bellingham will miss Madrid’s LaLiga fixtures against Girona, Betis, and Rayo Vallecano, as well as the first leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final against Real Sociedad.

If it was to be extended to the full 12 matches, Bellingham would then miss the majority of the remainder of the season.