LaLiga probes Bellingham for calling Greenwood ‘rapist’

LaLiga says it has commenced an investigation into a complaint filed by Getafe that Real Madrid midfielder, Jude Bellingham, allegedly used an offensive remark towards Mason Greenwood.

LaLiga said that it will use a lip-reading service to determine the alleged incident which occurred during Real Madrid’s 2-0 win at Getafe on Thursday night and then decide how to proceed.

The incident occurred after Bellingham tackled the Manchester United loanee near the touchline. Having caught Greenwood in possession and clearing the ball out for a throw-in, television cameras showed the Real Madrid star mutter something in the direction of Greenwood, but there was no audio to confirm what was said.

Spanish publication Cadena SER, after the match, reported that Getafe have requested for Bellingham’s alleged comment to be included in the referee’s official match report and approached the LaLiga delegate who was in attendance.

However, an expert lip reader, Jeremy Freeman, while analysing the clip told Mirror Football: “Upon a forensic examination of the provided clip, I am very confident that the word articulated is ‘rapist’. This conclusion is strongly influenced by the specific context in which the word was used.

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“The lip movements distinctly form the sounds corresponding to ‘R’ and ‘P’, concluding with an abrupt stop, which aligns with the word in question. The speaker’s accent, which appears to be distinctly Brummie, has also been taken into consideration in making this determination.

“Considering the visual evidence and the lack of any other word fitting the observed lip patterns and context, I am confident in this assessment.”

Greenwood joined Getafe on a season-long loan from United in September 2023.

The former England forward had been the subject of an internal investigation from United after the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) discontinued its case against the 22-year-old player for attempted rape, assault, and coercive control.

The CPS said: “A combination of the withdrawal of key witnesses and new material that came to light meant there was no longer a realistic prospect of conviction.”

Greenwood denied all the alleged offences.

Neither Real Madrid nor Getafe have spoken about the alleged incident as of press time.

If LaLiga found Bellingham to have said the word to Greenwood, the former Birmingham and Borussia Dortmund player could be handed a significant punishment by the league officials.

The Star