Featured Image Credit: X/@ViaplaySportsUK
Topics: Real Madrid, La Liga, Jude Bellingham, Carlo Ancelotti, VAR
Jack Kenmare
Topics: Real Madrid, La Liga, Jude Bellingham, Carlo Ancelotti, VAR
Real Madrid were controversially denied a last-second winner against Valencia on Saturday night in an incident that has since been declared 'the biggest scandal in recent years'.
Carlo Ancelotti's side thought they'd snatched all three points at the Mestalla after Jude Bellingham found the back of the net with eight minutes of stoppage time on the clock.
But as soon as Brahim Diaz crossed the ball, referee Gil Manzano blew the whistle for full-time, meaning Bellingham's header was ruled out.
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Manzano's decision sparked a furious reaction from the Los Blancos players, including Bellingham, who was shown a red card for his protests after reportedly saying "It's a f****** goal" to the Spanish official.
Take a look at the incident in full below. Do you think it should have been given?
As you can imagine, the reaction following Saturday's 2-2 draw has been intense. Spanish publication Marca claim those behind the scenes at Real Madrid think they are facing 'the biggest scandal in recent years.'
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They report also suggests Madrid will 'push the machine' to achieve a radical change in Spanish refereeing.
A statement on Los Blancos's website reads: "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 pass went through the air."
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Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti commented on Bellingham's dismissal after the full-time whistle.
“His red bothers us," the Italian said. "He has been transparent in confessing what he has said, approaching in a vehement manner, something normal after what happened and saying ‘it’s a f*cking goal.’
"But he didn’t say any insults towards the referee. He was just frustrated. But he didn’t say an insult, not at all. Let’s see what they write.”
Despite a far-from-ideal ending to the game for Bellingham, he still found time to stop and take photos with those who asked for as he made his way out of the Mestalla.
At the time of writing, Madrid sit seven points ahead of second-place Girona in the La Liga standings but they clearly feel this weekend's result was a huge opportunity wasted.