Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has revealed he feels “more comfortable” with referees in the Champions League than in La Liga, amid the club’s ongoing battle over domestic officiating.
Madrid have formally complained to Spain’s football federation (RFEF) about refereeing standards in La Liga.
The 15-time Champions League winners ire was drawn off the back of a surprise 1-0 defeat to Espanyol at the start of February – Carlos Romero cynically scythed down Kylian Mbappe to receive just a yellow card and went on to score the winning goal – and Madrid felt further hard done by following subsequent games against Atletico Madrid and Osasuna.
In the latter fixture, Jude Bellingham was sent off over what he claims was a “misunderstanding” when swearing in the direction of the referee, potentially facing a lengthy ban of between four and 12 games. Ancelotti clarified in his preference conference that the 21-year-old had said “f**k off, not f**k you,” before suggesting that remark is “way different.”
A shock report from Spain earlier this week even claimed that Madrid could consider leaving La Liga altogether due to the perceived alleged agenda against them.
“I have already given my opinion on what has happened and what is happening. It is quite surprising and I have nothing to add in this regard,” Ancelotti said at a press conference on Tuesday.
“We are not happy with what happened against Osasuna, against Atletico and Espanyol. These are three games in which we have been disadvantaged and I do not understand it. The errors in the last few games have been quite clear,” he added.
Madrid will face Manchester City in the Champions League on Wednesday, with a place in the last 16 at stake. Romania’s Istvan Kovacs will take charge of the game.
“I am more comfortable with the referees in Europe,” Ancelotti commented.
“The statistics speak for themselves. In Europe there are far fewer VAR interventions and they intervene when necessary. It must be taken into account that the best referees in each country usually officiate in the Champions League. The quality is very high in this sense.”
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Erasmo Mote
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