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Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham has told the press that he believes his recent arrival in La Liga is the reason he has been punished for dissent on multiple occasions. The English midfielder was dismissed at the weekend for telling Jesus Gil Manzano ‘It’s a f***ing goal’.

Bellingham was hit with a two-game ban for his dismissal, and was not sent off for what he said, but rather his ‘aggressive manner’ and ‘repeated complaints’, as per the referees report. Real Madrid will appeal the ban, and Bellingham said he was hopeful of a reduction in his ban. As things stand, he will be out of action until the 31st of March, missing clashes against Celta Vigo (H) and Osasuna (A).

“It is difficult to say anything because there are processes and investigations underway. What happened, happened, he took the decision to blow his whistle. We all know what happened. You have to remember that the referee is human, but so am I, so it would be good if they took that into account when they’re judging my actions as they did,” Bellingham told Diario AS.

“I don’t think I said anything offensive, or different from my teammates, I feel like sometimes, because I’m new, they want to set an example which I’m cool with it, and at the end of the day I have to be responsible for my actions. I gave them a reason to send me off. But the League and the club can reach an agreement, because I think it’s a bit ridiculous. I think two games for that is too many, but if I have to watch from the stands, I’ll support the team.”

It would be unprecedented if Bellingham’s ban were to be reduced, as the offence carries a minimum ban of just two matches. The only way his ban could theoretically change is if Real Madrid were able to prove that there was an error in the sending off itself, at which point the ban would be lifted entirely.