Jude Bellingham ban stands, Real Madrid's appeal crumbles

The original punishment, issued by the Competition Committee, will see the English star miss La Liga clashes against Girona and Real Betis.

Real Madrid fought to overturn the suspension, arguing over the exact wording of Bellingham's outburst. The match official, Munuera Montero, recorded it as "f- you" in his report, but the club insisted it was "f- off" instead.

The Appeals Committee, however, were unconvinced. Their ruling stated: "It has not been irrefutably proven" that Bellingham's words matched the club's version rather than the referee's account.

In a bid to bolster their case, Real Madrid submitted some unusual evidence, including a snippet of an old Cristiano Ronaldo interview and a clip from the popular Spanish TV show El Chiringuito.

The committee brushed these aside, saying: "The other two video submissions - an interview with footballer Cristiano Ronaldo and an excerpt from the television programme El Chiringuito - relate solely to interpreting an expression that this Committee need not debate, as it has not been conclusively shown that the player's uttered phrase aligns with the one claimed in the appeal."

Bellingham's absence will be a blow for Real Madrid, who are already juggling a packed schedule.

Elsewhere, the Appeals Committee also rejected a separate appeal from Leganes regarding their forward Munir El Haddadi. His three-match suspension for "violent conduct" stands, leaving Leganes without the striker for their upcoming fixtures.

Both clubs will now have to adjust their plans, with Real Madrid likely feeling the bigger sting as Bellingham's flair and energy sit out two key matches. The verdict's in - and the bans are here to stay.

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