Next time Jude Bellingham wants to launch X-rated rant at referee he should copy former Wimbledon champion instead
FIERCE criticism of referees is practically a national habit, either in stadiums or at the TV.And why not? If we wish to send hot air at such targets and without much chance of reprisal, well, good luck to us.Jude Bellingham was sent off and handed a two-match suspension for his outburst towards the referee last weekendCredit: ReutersPity the poor ref, though, because it is as certain as thunder following lightning that some people will go too far.That is what the brain-dead do when they utter death threats at referees or spit out racial slurs.The question is what is the difference between fair criticism and a blurted insult.Did Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham stray too far when he muttered “f*** off” or f*** you” in the direction of referee Jose Luis Munuera Montero? The hugely talented 21-year-old says it was directed at himself.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe ref said it was aimed at him and he had the red card!A Spanish Football Federation panel could have banned him for up to 12 weeks — it ended up being just two.Bellingham is no innocent Brummie abroad. He has been sent off as a Real player once before and should know that while “f*** off” is often aimed at someone’s own failings, it can easily be misunderstood.There is a much bigger aspect to this. On-field reaction to rulings might be generally overlooked. In the real world, not so much.Most read in FootballOfficials are given a tough task to deal with the complaints of playersCredit: ReutersCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSNo one expects going to a match to be like attending church, but some of the bile delivered at refs and players is gruesome.Racial abuse must be eradicated, not only is it a short cut to hatred on a major scale but also to violence, mass murder and even war.Jude Bellingham caught ‘humbling’ LaLiga rival who threatened to knock Real Madrid team-mate out ‘in 10 seconds’Football is a physical and highly competitive sport. Surely that should be enough for supporters who like it for those reasons as well as for its immense skill, character and mental toughness.The crucial part of any competition is good refereeing which in many ways is like policing.In football, the job is no 90-minute picnic and there’s never been a ref, copper or judge who got everything right.Most of them understand this and quickly grow a thick skin. But no skin is thick enough to resist threats of physical harm to close relatives or themselves.We all need protection and no one more so than the man or woman who is, as the saying goes, “in the middle”.Key to good order is that at a certain level there must be rights of appeal. High-level football in general does this well and efficiently.Though I must add that what and how a comment was made is definitely an area of contention.Self-blaming language is a part of every sport: There’ll be plenty of it in a rugby scrum and inevitably after a dropped catch at cricket.Nowadays umpires at big matches are blessed with instant access to incidents so errors are as rare as six overthrows.But football is emotional and action never stops: No wonder, then, that VAR can be so controversial.But one sport had an appeal of its own — tennis with John McEnroe v Umpire. READ MORE SUN STORIESHe pleaded “you cannot be serious”. Perfect.It is what Bellingham could say and then get on with the game.John McEnroe would plead ‘you cannot be serious’ when decisions didn’t go his wayCredit: Getty More
