Carlo Ancelotti reveals what Jude Bellingham said to the referee to be shown a straight red card after the Real Madrid star was controversially denied a last-gasp winner at Valencia
Carlo Ancelotti has defended Jude Bellingham after he was shown a red card for dissent in Real Madrid’s dramatic 2-2 draw with Valencia.
Referee Jesus Gil ruled out Bellingham’s winner because he had already blown his whistle to end the match.
He then showed Bellingham red for something he said as Madrid players surrounded the match official.
Carlo Ancelotti said: ‘He didn’t insult the referee. He was respectful. He spoke English and just said: “It was a damn goal”.’
Seven minutes were added at the end of a chaotic, dramatic match in Mestella. The referee then appeared to add an extra minute after awarding a penalty to Valencia, but then changed his mind after looking at the ball on the pitch.
Jude Bellingham thought he had scored the late winner but his header was disallowed
The England star jumped on the end of a flying cross as the whistle blew for extra time
Bellingham protested and were sent off in chaotic scenes at the end of Saturday’s match
That extra minute was over when Real Madrid won a corner with the clock at 98:13. But Gil let Madrid take the kick and instead of blowing immediately after the kick was taken, he let play continue long enough for Brahim to cross, just before Bellingham scored.
“It’s unprecedented,” said Ancelotti, who had seen his team overturn a 2-0 deficit only to be denied all three points within seconds.
Asked if the players could calm down ahead of their upcoming matches, he said: “All they have to do is look at the table, we are where we want to be.”
Real Madrid remain top, but Girona can close the gap to four points if they beat Mallorca on Sunday. Barcelona will fall six points behind if they beat Athletic Bilbao.
