Real Madrid’s match against Osasuna took a strange turn today, with Jude Bellingham receiving a red card in the first half after a controversial incident.
Following an early lead, Madrid struggled to find a second goal, and Bellingham’s frustration with the referee boiled over.
The result? A bizarre dismissal for dissent that left fans and manager Carlo Ancelotti furious.
Ancelotti Explains the Situation
Carlo Ancelotti was quick to defend his player after the match, shedding light on what actually happened.
The Real Madrid manager suggested the referee may have misunderstood Bellingham’s words, explaining, “I think the referee didn’t understand Jude Bellingham’s English.
He said ‘fck off,’ not ‘fck you’… that’s way different.”
Ancelotti made it clear that his intention wasn’t to criticize the officiating further, joking, “I won’t talk more about the referee as I want to be on the bench next week.”
Bellingham Reflects on His Actions
Bellingham, meanwhile, also spoke out, offering his own explanation.
He admitted that his choice of words wasn’t the best but insisted there was no ill intent behind his outburst.
“I didn’t say anything bad to the referee,” he said. “It’s clear there was a communication error.
It’s an expression like the Spanish word ‘joder’… and the consequence is that he left us with one less player.”
The England international emphasized that his words were never meant as a personal insult to the referee.
A Turning Point in the Match
Bellingham’s dismissal had a significant impact on the game, as Real Madrid struggled to maintain their lead with just 10 players on the pitch.
Despite holding on until halftime, the second half saw Osasuna seize the opportunity.
In the 58th minute, the referee awarded a penalty to the hosts after a challenge by Eduardo Camavinga, which Ante Budimir converted to level the score at 1-1.
The match ended in a draw, costing Real Madrid valuable points in their pursuit of the title.
Apologies and Fallout from the Red Card
After the match, Bellingham took to social media to apologize to his teammates for his actions.
“I’m here to apologize with my teammates as I put them in a difficult situation today,” he said.
Despite his regret, he stood by his belief that the incident was a misunderstanding and that his words were not an insult.
Bellingham also expressed relief that video footage showed the truth, which contradicted the referee’s report.
Title Race Tightens as Atletico and Barcelona Eye Top Spot
The draw has now left Real Madrid vulnerable in the title race, with Atletico Madrid and Barcelona both having a chance to close the gap.
Atletico will face Celta Vigo on Saturday, and Barcelona will host Rayo Vallecano on Monday, creating an opportunity for both teams to leapfrog the Galacticos in the standings.
Real Madrid’s frustration today may have cost them more than just two points.