Spanish referee Jose Luis Munuera Montero has been exonerated of any misconduct following an investigation by the nation’s soccer federation (RFEF) into a possible battle of curiosity involving his officiating and a non-public sports activities consultancy agency he co-owns.
In a press release launched on Thursday, the RFEF confirmed that no disciplinary motion can be taken towards the 41-year-old referee, who confronted scrutiny after issuing a pink card to Actual Madrid’s Jude Bellingham for utilizing foul language throughout Saturday’s 1-1 draw towards Osasuna.
Munuera deactivated his Instagram account after being inundated with hundreds of feedback, together with insults and loss of life threats within the wake of the match.
The controversy intensified when newspapers Marca and AS reported that his firm, Talentus Sports activities Audio system, had enterprise hyperlinks with soccer organisations {and professional} golf equipment.
This prompted the RFEF to launch an inquiry to find out whether or not these affiliations have been suitable together with his function as a referee.
“Following the examine, evaluation and detailed verification of the business, company and accounting data, the financial exercise of those corporations and the diploma of Munuera Montero’s participation in them, the RFEF’s Regulatory Compliance Division has concluded that there isn’t any actual or potential battle within the enterprise actions of the referee together with his work as a First Division referee,” the RFEF acknowledged.
🚀 @BellinghamJude 🚀 pic.twitter.com/b61v4kdRT2
— Actual Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) February 20, 2025
“Consequently, and in accordance with the inner rules on conflicts of curiosity and the RFEF’s good practices, there isn’t any motive in any respect to justify the adoption of disciplinary measures towards Mr. Munuera Montero.”
Montero has denied any wrongdoing. He asserted on Tuesday that his firm had by no means invoiced any sports activities organisation since its institution and warned of potential authorized motion towards media shops reporting in any other case.
“In latest months, the disproportionate assault on the refereeing collective has grow to be evident, and on this newest event I’ve been the goal,” he mentioned.
The RFEF additionally addressed the widespread criticism geared toward Munuera, stating on Monday that referees have been appalled by the abuse he had acquired, which they considered as reflective of the broader hostility and verbal aggression confronted by match officers.
Bellingham, who defended himself by claiming that his remarks have been misunderstood as he was chatting with himself in English, was handed a two-match suspension regardless of his enchantment.
