March 4 – Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham was shown a red card for approaching the referee after the official called an end to action whilst the ball was seemingly in mid-air, about to be headed home by the England international in the last minute of the game.
The match ended in a 2-2 draw, preventing Madrid from extending their lead at the top of La Liga.
As the ball hit the back of net and the player peeled away in celebration, referee Gil Manzano disallowed the finish, having blown for full-time during the ball’s flight.
In the ensuing chaos the referee was swarmed by Real Madrid players including Bellingham, who saw red even after the final whistle.
The officiating decision has sparked controversy online, having resulted in a 2-2 draw that prevented Madrid from extending their lead at the top of La Liga further.
Bellingham will miss the next three games as they push for the LaLiga title- a suspension that feels a little unfair given the circumstances.
“He didn’t insult the referee. He was respectful. He spoke in English and just said: ‘It was a f—— goal’,” Ancelotti said. “It’s unprecedented.”
The club doubled down on Ancelotti’s comments. A statement read: “An unprecedented refereeing decision by Gil Manzano prevented Real Madrid’s victory against Valencia at Mestalla.
“With the score at 2-2 and in the last play of the game, Brahim [Diaz] crossed into the area and Bellingham finished off with a header making it 2-3.
“But the referee annulled the goal by signalling the end of the match when the Malaga native’s [Diaz] pass went through the air. The league leaders deserved the three points, but added only one in a match that they were losing 2-0.
“Two goals from Vini[cius] Jr tied the duel, finally resolved with the decision of Gil Manzano.”
To add to the bizarre complexion of the match, Real Madrid were forced to play in last season’s purple away kit due to colour clashes with Valencia’s white-and-black home strip.
Real Madrid already have one foot in the Champions League quarter finals, and turn their attention to Wednesday’s UCL Round of 16 versus RB Leipzig to finish the job. In the reverse fixture a fortnight ago in Leipzig, they left with a favourable 1-0 scoreline to carry into the Bernabeu later this week.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1735007018labto1735007018ofdlr1735007018owedi1735007018sni@g1735007018niwe.1735007018yrrah1735007018