Pep Guardiola Sends Message to Real Madrid Over Criticism of Referees

Pep Guardiola has sent a stern message to Real Madrid, urging the Spanish giants to ease their criticisms of referees after the club voiced strong objections to Jude Bellingham’s recent red card in La Liga. The England international was sent off during Real Madrid’s controversial draw against Osasuna after allegedly using foul language directed at the match official.

The incident has sparked significant debate in Spain, with Real Madrid and Bellingham himself arguing that his words were misunderstood. The 20-year-old midfielder insists he merely expressed frustration using the phrase “f*** off” rather than the more offensive “f*** you.” However, the referee deemed his reaction unacceptable, leading to his dismissal and adding to Madrid’s growing frustration with officiating decisions in La Liga.

Madrid’s grievances with referees have been mounting in recent weeks, with the club feeling they have been on the receiving end of questionable decisions. This latest controversy has only intensified the tensions, overshadowing the buildup to their crucial Champions League clash against Guardiola’s Manchester City.

When asked about the ongoing debate, Guardiola expressed little sympathy for Bellingham or Real Madrid’s complaints. The former Barcelona coach, who has been no stranger to refereeing controversies himself, believes that players should refrain from using any disrespectful language toward officials, regardless of intent.

“My English is good, but I don’t understand the difference between ‘f*** off’ and ‘f*** you,’” Guardiola said, dismissing the semantic debate. “But what’s important is the intention, not just the words themselves. The best thing is to avoid saying anything and leave the referees in peace.”

The Manchester City boss went on to emphasize that officiating decisions have always been a part of the game, and teams must learn to accept them. “There have always been decisions that teams don’t agree with,” he continued. “You should ask Jude what his intention was – that’s what truly matters. Maybe you can insult someone with a smile on your face, and it wouldn’t seem as bad, right? But at the end of the day, referees are human, and they should be left alone.”

Guardiola’s comments are likely to add even more fuel to the ongoing rivalry between Manchester City and Real Madrid. The two clubs are set to face each other in the Champions League for the fourth consecutive season, with Madrid holding a 3-2 advantage after a dramatic first-leg victory at the Etihad Stadium. Bellingham played a pivotal role in that win, scoring a late winner to give Los Blancos the upper hand ahead of the second leg at the Bernabeu.

Carlo Ancelotti, Madrid’s manager, also weighed in on the referee debate during his pre-match press conference. The Italian tactician pointed to what he described as “pretty clear mistakes” in La Liga, contrasting them with what he perceives to be the “very high quality” of officiating in the Champions League. His remarks have been interpreted by some as an attempt to put additional pressure on the Romanian referee, Istvan Kovacs, who will oversee Wednesday’s crucial match.

Guardiola, however, dismissed any notion that referees could be influenced by external pressure, arguing that the best officials thrive under scrutiny. “Referees know they are in the spotlight when officiating a game of this magnitude,” he said. “They are being watched by the entire world, and they want to do their job well. Sometimes they get it right, sometimes they don’t, but I don’t believe they feel pressure in the way some people suggest.”

Despite the growing tensions, Guardiola is keen for his team to remain focused on the task at hand. City must produce a near-flawless performance at the Bernabeu to overturn their deficit and avoid their earliest exit from the Champions League since the 2012-13 season. “We have to make an almost-perfect game,” Guardiola admitted. “The first-leg result was not ideal, so we must be aggressive, attack, and score goals. At this level, pressure is inevitable, but it’s something we have to embrace. You cannot perform well without it.”

In a boost for City, Erling Haaland, who was seen clutching his knee in the final moments of their Premier League win over Newcastle, has trained as normal and is expected to be available. Jack Grealish, Ruben Dias, and Nathan Ake, who were all absent at the weekend, have also traveled with the squad, giving Guardiola more options as he looks to mastermind a comeback.

With tensions already high, Guardiola’s latest remarks will likely be met with strong reactions from Real Madrid supporters. But as City look to turn the tie in their favor, their manager remains focused on the football rather than the controversy surrounding officiating decisions. One thing is certain—when these two European powerhouses clash, the drama is never far away.