The Spanish referee Jose Luis Munuera Montero has been acquitted of any misconduct after an investigation by the Football Federation of the Land (RFEF) to a potential conflict of interest in which his officer and a private sports consultancy is a co-owner.
In a statement released on Thursday, the RFEF confirmed that no disciplinary measures would be taken against the 41-year-old referee, who was confronted with research after publishing a red card to Jude Bellingham by Real Madrid for the use of dirty language During the 1-1 draw of Saturday Osasuna.
Munuera deactivated his Instagram account after he was flooded with thousands of comments, including insults and death threats in the aftermath of the competition.
The controversy increased when newspapers Marca and as stated that his company, Talentus Sports Speakers, had business links with football organizations and professional clubs.
This led the RFEF to start an investigation to determine whether these relationships were compatible with his role as a referee.
“After the study, analysis and detailed verification of the commercial, business and accounting information, the economic activity of these companies and the degree of participation of Munuera Montero, the RFF’s Regulatory Compliance Department has concluded that there is no real or potential conflict is in the business activities of the referee with his work as a referee in the first division, ‘the RFEF.
🚀 @Bellinghamjude 🚀 pic.twitter.com/b61v4kdrt2
– Real Madrid CF 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) February 20, 2025
“Consequently, and in accordance with the internal regulations on conflicts of interest and the good practices of the RFEF, there is no reason to justify the approval of disciplinary measures against Mr Munuera Montero.”
Montero has denied misconduct. He claimed Tuesday that his company had never invoiced a sports organization since its foundation and warned of potential legal steps against media sales points that otherwise reported.
“In recent months, the disproportionate attack on the referee collective has become clear, and on the latter occasion I was the target,” he said.
The RFEF was also about the widespread criticism aimed at Munuera and stated on Monday that referees were ignored by the abuse he had received, whom they considered a reflection of broader hostility and verbal aggression with which competition officials were confronted.
Bellingham, who defended himself by claiming that his comments were misunderstood when he spoke to himself in English, received a suspension of two games despite his profession.
