“He did not make fun of the referee.”after Jude Bellingham’s header in a La Liga match was disallowed, Carlo Ancelotti clarified, saying, “It was a f***ing goal.”

La Liga: In the 99th minute of Real Madrid vs. Valencia, Jude Bellingham received a red card.

Football – La Liga – Valencia vs. Real Madrid – March 2, 2024 – Mestalla, Valencia, Spain After the game, referee Jesus Gil Manzano shows Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham a red card while coach Carlo Ancelotti watches. Pablo Morano of REUTERS

The match between Real Madrid and Valencia on Saturday began as an engaging encounter but turned contentious in the extra time. Jude Bellingham, a midfield player for Los Blancos, thought he had won the game with a header, but the goal was disallowed because the referee had blown his whistle before Luka Modric had crossed the ball to Bellingham.

Bellingham angrily rushed to the referee, Gil Manzano, who showed the player a red card. Carlo Ancelotti, the manager of Real Madrid, would subsequently clarify: “He did not offend the referee.” He showed deference. It was a f***ing goal, he said, speaking in English.