Jude Bellingham confronts referee after controversial Madrid derby

Jude Bellingham appeared to angrily challenge Spanish referee Miguel Ortiz Arias after the final whistle in Real Madrid’s La Liga derby against Atletico Madrid on Sunday.

The match was marked by several contentious refereeing decisions, with Real Madrid demanding red cards for Atletico players Cuti Romero and Kang-in Lee following two disputed first-half challenges.

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano posted a video of the incident on his account on X, showing Bellingham visibly angry as the game ended.

According to the translation accompanying the footage, the Real Madrid midfielder criticised the referee’s decisions in both incidents and repeatedly shouted: “Two red cards! Two!”

Bellingham then ended his angry exchange with the words: “Son of …”

However, the footage did not make clear through lip-reading whether Bellingham had sworn at the referee.