2024-03-03 18:41:54
There was much anger in Real Madrid’s ranks following the controversial end to Saturday’s league game in Valencia, in which the referee blew the whistle for Brahim Díaz’s cross into the penalty area. Gunner Jude Bellingham scored a goal from it with his head, which would have otherwise marked the completion of the turnaround from 0:2, but the goal was not valid, much to the chagrin of the visiting team.
Real’s players flocked to the referee like wasps, and coach Carlo Ancelotti also demanded an explanation right on the pitch why the referee ended the match in the middle of the action.
The critical situation occurred in the 99th minute, i.e. already after the expiration of the officially announced seven-minute setup. Referee Jesús Gil allowed Real to take a corner, which the home team saved. But the opponent regained possession of the ball and Díaz sent it in front of the goal from the right side. At that moment, the referee’s whistle was blown.
The excitement of the scored goal was immediately replaced by frustration, it was the opposite for the home players, as some obviously did not notice the end of the match.
“What happened is unprecedented. I have never experienced this. I think he made a mistake,” Ancelotti told the media. “If he had whistled after the opponent deflected the ball…, then it would have been fine. But he let the game continue and we had a chance,” the sixty-four-year-old Italian coach was angry.
Chaos ensued on the pitch immediately afterwards and emotions flared up, and there were also scuffles. The Real players protested at the referee, Joselu got a yellow card and Bellingham even got a red. This also angered Ancelotti. “Because he didn’t say anything offensive. It was frustration. He said ‘fucking goal’ and that was it,” stated Ancelotti.
According to Spanish media, Bellingham shouted at the referee: “Damn, this is a goal. The ball was in the air. What the hell is that?” Gil reportedly noted in the minutes that the red card followed due to aggressive behavior.
After a 2:2 draw, which Vinícius Junior scored with two goals, Real gave second-placed Girona the opportunity to reduce the current seven-point deficit. The third draw in the last five league matches came before Wednesday’s second leg of the Champions League round of 16 with Leipzig. Real won the first match in Germany 1:0. “We have to get back to normal because we have an important game ahead of us,” Ancelotti said.
???? Have you ever seen anything like this?! Real scored a goal at the very end against Valencia to make it 3:2, but the referee blew the whistle before the ball was over the line. And instead of conceding Bellingham’s hit, he gave him a red card. ???? What do you think about this? ????#NovaSport #LaLiga pic.twitter.com/driPxTyTLu
— Nova Sport (@novasport_cz) March 3, 2024