Spanish Referee Defends Against “Conflict of Interest” Claims
La Liga Referee Jose Luis Munuera Montero Under Investigation
La Liga referee Jose Luis Munuera Montero, known for his officiating in Spain, has recently come under scrutiny. Last weekend, Munuera Montero made headlines for controversially sending off Jude Bellingham during Real Madrid’s match against Osasuna, leading to death threats against him. In the latest development, the Spanish Football Federation has launched an investigation into Munuera Montero’s alleged conflict of interest with Talentus Sports, a company he is associated with.
Munuera Montero has responded to these allegations through a statement on Instagram, addressing the situation. He clarified that Talentus Sports, a company he co-owns, has not conducted any business with sports entities since its inception. The company’s focus is on helping athletes share their experiences and values with various organizations, as outlined on its website.
Furthermore, Munuera Montero has expressed his intention to take legal action against media outlets spreading misinformation that harms his professional reputation and that of the refereeing community.
As a consequence of the investigation, Munuera Montero has been sidelined by the Federation and Technical Committee of Referees, referred to as being “in the fridge.” This means he will not be considered for officiating any matches until the matter is resolved, and he will not be eligible for selection by UEFA.
