Fans React as VAR Intervenes After ‘Shameful’ Dive by Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham: ‘Look How He Falls’

Jude Bellingham has drawn significant criticism from fans and pundits following his reaction to a defeat for Real Madrid against Valencia, with replays appearing to show the England international exaggerating contact to win a foul.

The incident occurred during Real Madrid’s 2-1 home loss to Valencia at the Santiago Bernabeu, a result that left the La Liga champions four points behind rivals Barcelona with eight games remaining in the season. Bellingham, who had been a frustrated figure throughout the match, was seen kicking a VAR monitor as he left the pitch at full-time, an act that has put him at risk of further disciplinary action.

Replays from the match caught Bellingham appearing to go down easily under minimal challenge, prompting strong reactions from supporters. One fan comment cited in Dutch-language reporting from De Telegraaf read: ‘Kijk eens hoe hij valt’ (‘Look how he falls’), while another described the behaviour as ‘schaamteloos’ (‘shameless’).

The Dutch outlet reported that fans are calling for VAR intervention in response to what they perceive as simulation, with the headline translating to ‘Fans demand VAR intervention after ‘shameless’ dive by Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham: ‘Look how he falls’.

This represents not the first time Bellingham has faced sanction for his conduct toward match officials. He recently served a ban for directing abusive language at a referee, telling them to ‘f*ck off’ during a previous La Liga encounter. The latest incident adds to a growing pattern of disciplinary concerns surrounding the 21-year-old midfielder.

La Liga rules permit punishment for ‘acts of aggression against equipment’, which includes intentional damage to league property such as VAR monitors. If found guilty, Bellingham could face a suspension of between one and three matches, alongside potential fines and formal warnings. The fact that the monitor did not topple or break may mitigate the severity of any punishment, but the act itself remains a violation under competition regulations.

Real Madrid’s defeat to Valencia has intensified pressure on Carlo Ancelotti’s side in the title race. With Barcelona now leading La Liga and eight fixtures left to play, every dropped point increases the challenge of retaining the championship. Bellingham’s absence through suspension would further weaken a midfield already missing key contributors through injury and rotation.

The club has not issued an official statement regarding the VAR monitor incident or the allegations of simulation. Bellingham himself has not publicly addressed the replays or fan criticism as of the time of reporting. Any potential disciplinary process would be handled by La Liga authorities, who will review the match footage before determining whether action is warranted.