Refereeing decisions leave coach Carlo Ancelotti fuming as Real Madrid held at Osasuna

PAMPLONA – Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti was left fuming over several referee decisions in their 1-1 draw at Osasuna on Feb 15, which extended their winless Spanish La Liga run to three games.

The Italian criticised the VAR (video assistant referee) for not intervening in three possible penalties, for what he thought were fouls on Vinicius Jr and Jude Bellingham and a handball inside the box by Alejandro Catena.

Already left annoyed after Bellingham was shown a straight red by referee Jose Luis Munuera Montero in the first half, Ancelotti was further angered early in the second half, when the official awarded Osasuna a penalty after he was called by the VAR to review Eduardo Camavinga’s stomp on Ante Budimir’s foot.

Croatian striker Budimir duly scored from the spot to cancel out Kylian Mbappe’s first-half opener.

“I believe there were things that have happened in these last three games that everyone has seen and I don’t want to add more, because I’m looking forward to being on the bench in the next game,” Ancelotti said at Estadio El Sadar.

“The referee booked me after I told him that there was a handball in Osasuna’s penalty area and that he should have gone and check it on the VAR... They must have turned on the VAR later.”

The 65-year-old also complained about the red card shown to Bellingham in the 39th minute, arguing that the English midfielder had not insulted the referee during one of the many arguments that the Real players had with the official during the game.

“I think with Bellingham’s red card, (the referee) didn’t understand the English well... I don’t think it’s something offensive,” he said.

Ancelotti’s frustration adds more fuel to Real’s clashes with referees, after the club complained about the Spanish league’s match officials earlier in February.

They had even sent a letter to the Spanish football federation calling refereeing in Spain “rigged”.

Bellingham, meanwhile, said his sending-off for dissent was a “misunderstanding” and he had definitely not insulted the referee. The England international was dismissed when he exchanged words with Montero, who then reached for his red card.

He explained that he was expressing his frustration in general rather than directing an insult at the official.

“I think you can see clearly in the video, I remember the incident very well, it was an expression (I was saying) to myself,” said the 21-year-old.

“I’m not even directing myself towards the referee, but obviously there was a misunderstanding. He’s believed that I’ve said (something insulting) to him...

“There was no intent to insult him, there was no insult, and for that reason, I think you can see there was a misunderstanding.”

Bellingham also said he hoped that video evidence of what he said could be used to help him avoid a significant suspension. In his report, Montero indicated that the star midfielder “appeared” to be insulting him.

“It’s difficult when a referee isn’t sure, to determine that I’ve said something that I haven’t, and as a result, it kind of hinders the team,” added Bellingham.

“I only want to make sure that the team know that I wasn’t irresponsible enough to put them in a situation where I intentionally wanted them to be left with 10, but of course, being involved means that’s the case.

“I hope that the footage will be reviewed and see that it’s not the same as the report, and that going forward the federation can keep that into consideration because it’s huge evidence.”

Amid all the controversy, Real earned a point to stay on top of La Liga in what is shaping up to be a tight title race.

Ancelotti’s side sit on 51 points, one ahead of second-placed Atletico Madrid and three clear of third-placed Barcelona, who have a game in hand. REUTERS, AFP