Jude Bellingham & Mason Greenwood incident: La Liga employs lip-reading expert in response to allegations of a Real Madrid player using offensive language against Getafe’s loaned player from Manchester United.

La Liga has enlisted the services of a lip-reading expert to analyze video footage involving Jude Bellingham of Real Madrid, who is alleged to have directed a derogatory term at Mason Greenwood of Getafe.

The incident occurred during Real Madrid’s triumph over their city rivals on Thursday when Bellingham confronted Greenwood. Allegedly, Bellingham was seen mouthing the word “rapist” in the direction of the Manchester United loanee. Following Getafe’s complaint to La Liga’s representative present at the match, an expert lip-reader has been brought in to investigate the content of the exchange, as reported by SER.

Greenwood is currently on a season-long loan in Spain from Manchester United. In February 2023, charges of attempted rape, assault, and coercive control against him were dropped. His parent club is expected to make a decision on his long-term future during the upcoming summer transfer window.

A forensic lip reader, Jeremy Freeman, informed the Daily Mail that he is nearly certain that Bellingham used the term “rapist.” Freeman stated, “After carefully analyzing the clip, I am 97 per cent confident that the spoken word is ‘rapist’, particularly when considering the context in which it was used. The visual cues of the lips indicate the presence of the ‘R’ and ‘P’ sounds, and the word appears to end sharply. Additionally, the speaker seems to have a pronounced Brummie accent, which I factored into my interpretation. Given the clarity of these visual markers and the absence of any viable alternative interpretation, I am quite certain of this conclusion.”

It remains uncertain whether Bellingham will be deemed culpable and face consequences for the purported derogatory remark. Real Madrid, who lead the league, will prefer that he avoids suspension, particularly as he has become their standout performer in the 2023-24 season. With another Madrid derby against fierce rivals Atletico on the horizon this weekend, the club is eager for his availability.