- Jude Bellingham sent off following Real Madrid’s 2-2 draw at Valencia
- Midfielder thought he had scored winner but final whistle had already been sounded
- Referee’s report revealed Bellingham’s fury at decision
Real Madrid plan to appeal the red card shown to Jude Bellingham during Saturday’s controversial 2-2 draw away at Valencia.
Vinicius Junior scored twice to help Los Blancos come back from a two-goal deficit and earn a point at the Mestalla. However, the evening deteriorated into mayhem as soon as the final whistle blew, rendering the game a complete and utter failure.
Bellingham believed that he had scored the game-winning goal late into the stoppage time of the second half; however, referee Jesus Gil Manzano blew the full-time whistle just before Brahim Diaz sent the last cross.
Gil Manzano’s report said that he was not happy with Bellingham’s “aggressive attitude,” and that he repeatedly yelled “it’s a f*****g goal” at him. As a result of his objections, the England midfielder was subsequently sent off for his actions.
According to ESPN, Madrid will file an appeal with La Liga about Bellingham’s red card in the hopes of getting his one-match suspension overturned. In the event that he is unsuccessful, he will be unable to attend the match between Celta Vigo and this Sunday.
Carlo Ancelotti, the manager of Madrid, responded to the news conference that took place after the match by defending Bellingham’s behavior and stating that it did not justify a sending off.
“We were annoyed with Bellingham’s red card,” Ancelotti said. “We were frustrated.” There were no slurs that he spoke. In English, he said the words “it’s a f*****g goal,” but in reality, he was only expressing what we were all thinking. The referee gave permission for the game to continue. My opinion is that he made a mistake. It was easy to understand what [Bellingham] was saying.
After all that took occurred, it is not surprising that he took such a strong stance in his response. It was in no way an insult, not even close.
Madrid and Bellingham return to action on Wednesday in the Champions League, taking on RB Leipzig back at the Santiago Bernabeu. Los Blancos take a one-goal lead into the second leg of their last-16 tie thanks to a stunning Brahim goal back in Germany last month.