Before Real Madrid’s clash with Manchester City, Carlo Ancelotti joked about asking Pep Guardiola if he truly believed his team had just a 1% chance of progressing. Many fans, however, might prefer a more direct approach perhaps even testing the reaction of City’s traveling supporters to a blunt dismissal. Yet, for the past few days, the conversation around the game has been drowned out by a different debate entirely: language, referees, and conspiracy theories.
The controversy erupted on Saturday when Jude Bellingham received a red card in Madrid’s 1-1 draw at Osasuna. Ancelotti defended his player, arguing that Bellingham hadn’t insulted referee José Luis Munuera Montero by saying, “Fuck you,” but had instead said, “Fuck off.” According to the coach, there was a crucial difference one was an insult, the other merely frustration. The debate quickly spread across Spain, with pundits, language experts, and even late-night radio hosts dissecting the semantics of English profanity.
The issue wasn’t just about words, though. It was the latest spark in an ongoing firestorm surrounding Madrid’s belief that they are being unfairly treated by officials. The club has become increasingly vocal in its criticism of referees, pushing the narrative that they are victims of a broader conspiracy. Their official media outlets routinely scrutinize referees before and after matches, while the team has publicly denounced what they call a corrupt and biased system.
Madrid’s complaints have intensified in the wake of the Negreira case, in which Barcelona allegedly paid a high-ranking refereeing official millions over nearly two decades. While Barcelona denies any legal wrongdoing, Madrid has used the scandal to justify its own grievances, fueling calls for a complete overhaul of officiating in Spain.
In the buildup to the Champions League match, Ancelotti found himself fielding more questions about refereeing than tactics. He hinted that he felt officiating in European competition was more reliable than in La Liga, while also expressing hope that Bellingham’s suspension might be overturned. The players have also been drawn into the debate Fede Valverde initially avoided discussing referees in his pre-match press conference, only to later post a statement apologizing for not addressing the issue.
Amid all the noise, the actual match against Manchester City has felt almost secondary. Madrid holds a narrow advantage after their 3-2 victory in the first leg, but Guardiola’s side remains a formidable opponent. While the City manager publicly downplayed his team’s chances, Ancelotti dismissed the idea that the tie was close to being decided. He acknowledged the psychological challenge of playing with a lead but insisted his team must remain focused.
Despite the distractions, Madrid will need to shift their attention back to the pitch. With a place in the Champions League quarter-finals on the line, the battle against City will demand more than just complaints about officiating it will require a performance worthy of the stage.
