Jude Bellingham has been reported to La Liga officials after allegedly calling Mason Greenwood a ‘rapist’ during Real Madrid’s victory over Getafe on Thursday night, it has been claimed. Bellingham could be handed a potential suspension if he is found to have said the alleged slur, but it remains unclear if officials will take action.
The alleged incident occurred when Bellingham tackled Greenwood close to the touchline, with the ball going out of play. TV cameras then picked up Bellingham saying a two-syllable word towards the Getafe striker, but the audio did not pick up exactly what was said.
Getafe requested after the final whistle that Bellingham’s alleged slur be included in the referee’s official match report, according to Spanish outlet Cadena SER. An investigation could reportedly follow but, at this time, it remains to be seen if further action will be taken by La Liga officials and if any slur was said.
Former referee Iturralde Gonzalez warned that Bellingham may face punishment if he is found to have called Greenwood a ‘rapist’, saying: “You can be sanctioned if you really say that, but if Getafe wants to defend its player, what it can do is take the case to the Competition Committee.
“The league will do what it has to do, but they can appear at the Competition Committee with those images and accuse him of what he said.”
Greenwood was loaned to Getafe after charges of attempted rape, controlling and coercive behaviour and assault occasioning actual bodily harm were dropped last February. Manchester United went on to conduct their own internal investigation, after which they decided to ship him out in response to backlash from fans, women’s support groups and members of staff.
The former England striker was initially set to be available for United this season before the club went back on their stance after the idea of his return prompted a strong public response. The Red Devils are now said to be open to selling Greenwood in order to raise funds ahead of the summer transfer window.
United have already confirmed that Greenwood will no longer have a part to play at Old Trafford from next season onwards, saying in a statement in August: “All those involved, including Mason, recognise the difficulties with him recommencing his career at Manchester United.
“It has, therefore, been mutually agreed that it would be most appropriate for him to do so away from Old Trafford, and we will now work with Mason to achieve that outcome.”
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