Jude Bellingham sending off: Spain debates linguistic nuance of footballer’s foul language
An unlikely debate about translation and cultural interpretations of English profanity has ignited in Spain after Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham was sent off for verbally abusing a referee on Saturday.Monday’s mainstream TV shows, radio phone-ins and the front pages of newspapers and major websites wrestled with the concept of Bellingham’s novel defence that he did not shout “f*** you” at the official, but merely “f*** off”.
Bellingham, 21, was shown a red card in Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Osasuna in LaLiga as referee Jose Munuera Montero believed the England forward directed the foul language at him. However, Bellingham and his coach Carlo Ancelotti said the official was mistaken.
Story continues below this ad
“I’m an English player… and when I speak on the pitch it’...