Real Madrid are embroiled in a bitter row with Spanish referees ahead of their Champions League clash with Manchester City.
Real Madrid’s bitter row with Spanish referees has marred the build-up to their Champions League clash with Manchester City, with their acting captain forced to apologise to supporters for not criticising officials in his pre-match press conference.
Fede Valverde, who is a doubt to face City on Wednesday, took to social media to assure angry Madrid fans that he shares their frustrations towards recent decisions against his club. Jude Bellingham was sent off at the weekend for swearing at the referee, sparking a bizarre row over the difference between ‘f— you’ and ‘f— off’.
Real have sent an open letter to La Liga complaining that Spanish refereeing is “completely discredited” and Carlo Ancelotti’s press conference ahead of the City game was dominated by referee talk. He said he prefers Champions League officiating as it is less involved than in La Liga games.
Ancelotti did touch on Real Madrid team news for the City fixture, confirming that defender Antonio Rudiger will return while Valverde and Lucas Vazquez are doubts and unlikely to start.
Pep Guardiola said City have a ‘one per cent’ chance of turning around their 2-3 deficit from the first leg but Ancelotti insisted his counterpart does not believe such a statement.
“Tomorrow, before the game, I’ll ask him if he really thinks that they have a one per cent chance!” Ancelotti said. “We don’t think we have a 99 per cent chance. We think we have a small advantage that we have to make the most of.”
Speaking alongside Ancelotti was Valvderde, captain in recent weeks in the absence of Dani Carvajal and Vazquez, and he was forced to apologise for not going as far as some fans and media wanted on the topic of referees.
“I want to clarify to Real Madrid fans that I didn’t mention what we’re suffering with the referees because I know myself and I am focused on tomorrow,” he wrote on social media. “The whole world saw what’s happening to Real Madrid in La Liga. I didn’t forget it. I will always be there to protect the club, 100 per cent as usual”.