Gerard Pique wades into Jude Bellingham red card controversy after disallowed Real Madrid winner

Former Barcelona star Gerard Pique has had his say on Jude Bellingham’s red card following Real Madrid’s disallowed winner against Valencia on Saturday.

Vinicius Jr scored twice against Valencia as Real came from two goals down to salvage a point at the Mestalla and move seven points clear at the La Liga summit.

However, Bellingham thought he had won the game in the sixth minute of stoppage time when he nodded home from close range, only for referee Gil Manzano to blow the whistle to end the game as the cross was delivered.

Real players and staff were furious and surrounded Manzano at full-time. Bellingham, who was back in the side after three weeks out with an injury, was shown a red card for his part in the protests.

The incident has been at the centre of debate in Spain, with Pique, a Barcelona legend, expressing frustration towards Manzano.

During a Twitch stream with Ibai Llanos, Pique said via Marca: “We all already know the level that this referee is at.

‘He sent me off at El Sadar, and I didn’t say anything, but apart from this, which in the end doesn’t matter to me, he has a history that I don’t understand, because he is an international referee, he should be at the top level.”

Pique was referencing when he was sent off during half-time of his final Barcelona match upon protesting the dismissal of team-mate Robert Lewandowski.

Bellingham thought he'd nodded in a winner for Real Madrid (Getty)

“Yesterday is not the first time he has done it,” Pique added. “I understand that Madrid can complain, he should have whistled much earlier, it’s not an incorrect whistle, it’s a late whistle. Blowing just when you’re crossing doesn’t make any sense.”

Meanwhile, Real boss Carlo Ancelotti said after the game: "Something unprecedented has happened and it's never happened to me before.

"After the rebound we had possession. It's never happened to me before and there's nothing more to add. We were annoyed by Bellingham's red card because he didn't say anything insulting. It was frustration.

"Had the referee blown the whistle when the Valencia keeper cleared the ball, it would have been right, but he allowed play to continue and we had possession. I think he has made a mistake."

Topics: Real Madrid, La Liga, Jude Bellingham, Gerard Pique, Vinicius Jr, VAR

Chris Byfield

Sport journalist with experience writing on football, rugby, boxing and the Olympics. I'm also a Crystal Palace fan. Please don't hold this against me.