The Spanish referee Jose Luis Munuera Montero has been free from any misconduct following an investigation by the country’s football federation (RFEF) in a possible conflict of interests concerning his work and a private advice company that co -operates.
In a statement published on Thursday, the RFEF confirmed that no disciplinary action would be taken against the 41-year-old referee, who faced a Red Card’s check on Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham for the use of language during his 1-1 draw. Saturday Osasuna.
Munuera turned off his Instagram account after flooding thousands of comments, including insults and death threats after the race.
The dispute was intensified when the Marca newspapers and, as he said, his company, sports speakers Talentus, had business relations with football organizations and professional clubs.
This prompted RFEF to start a research to determine whether these partnerships were compatible with his role as a referee.
“After the study, analysis and detailed verification of commercial, corporate and accounting information, the economic activity of these companies and the degree of participation of Munuera Montero in them, the RFEF regulation department concluded that there is no real or a possible conflict of the referee’s business with his work as a first division, “he said. Rfef.
🚀 @Bellinghamjude 🚀 pic.twitter.com/b61v4KDRT2
– Real Madrid CF 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) February 20 2025
“Consequently, and in accordance with the internal regulations on the conflicts of interest and the good practices of RFEF, there is no reason to justify the adoption of disciplinary measures against Mr Munuera Montero.”
Montero has denied any injustice. He claimed on Tuesday that his company had never invoiced any athletic organization since its establishment and warned of possible legal action against the media reporting differently.
“In recent months, the disproportionate attack on collective collective arbitration has become evident and in the latter case I was the goal,” he said.
The RFEF also dealt with the widespread criticism of Munuera, stating Monday that the referees were frightened by the abuse he had received, which they regarded as reflexes of the wider hostility and the verbal aggression faced by the officials of the struggles.
Bellingham, who defended himself claiming that his observations were misunderstood as he spoke to himself in English, gave a suspension of two struggles despite his appeal.
