🚨🔥 Just one week before El Clásico… and the tension is already exploding! 😱 Jude Bellingham finds himself at the center of a full-blown REFEREEING SCANDAL after a borderline tackle 😬💥 The referee’s decision has shocked everyone, and social media is on fire! 😤 Meanwhile, Barça watches from a distance… 👀⚔️👉

À une semaine du Barça, Bellingham au cœur d’un scandale arbitral !

With just seven days to go before the highly anticipated showdown between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona, controversy is already flaring—this time, centered around Jude Bellingham and a refereeing decision that has divided the Spanish football world.

Real Madrid’s dramatic 3-2 defeat to Celta Vigo on Sunday has not only shaken up the title race but also ignited heated debates regarding the conduct of Bellingham. Early in the match, when Los Blancos were comfortably leading 2-0, the English midfielder committed a reckless challenge on Celta’s Fer López—an incident that many believe should have resulted in a red card.

The tackle in question saw Bellingham rake his studs along the back of López’s heel. The images showed clear contact, with the midfielder arriving late and dangerously. Referee Gil Manzano, who had a clear line of sight, deemed the challenge worthy of only a yellow card, sparking a firestorm in Catalan media and across social media platforms.

Mundo Deportivo and Sport, two leading Barcelona-based outlets, have responded with fury. Their criticism revolves around the belief that Bellingham was unfairly spared a suspension that would have ruled him out of the upcoming El Clásico. With La Liga hanging in the balance, they argue the Englishman should not be on the pitch next Sunday.

The fact that VAR did not intervene has only added fuel to the fire. Officials at the video booth apparently concluded that López’s foot was not planted on the ground during the moment of contact—a technicality which, in their assessment, lessened the severity of the foul. But to many viewers and pundits, this seemed like a shallow justification.

A red card for Bellingham would have not only changed the outcome of the match against Celta Vigo but could also have shifted the dynamics of the season’s final Clásico. Barça, currently trailing in the standings, are desperate for every advantage possible. Seeing Bellingham—one of Madrid’s best performers—still eligible to play, stings deeply in Catalonia.

Former La Liga referee Iturralde González attempted to cool the flames by giving his opinion on Cadena SER. According to him, the tackle was not as grave as some have suggested. He insisted that while the challenge looked aggressive, the contact was minimal and didn’t merit anything more than a yellow. “It’s not a nice challenge,” he admitted, “but the law must be applied consistently.”

However, this opinion did little to quell the storm. On social media, fans and analysts erupted, with slow-motion replays and freeze frames circulating widely to support the argument for a straight red. The phrase “#RedForBellingham” even trended on X (formerly Twitter), showing the extent to which the moment captured the imagination—and ire—of the football community.

The emotional stakes couldn’t be higher. With the Clásico set to be played at the Montjuïc Olympic Stadium and the title race tighter than ever, fans of both teams are scrutinizing every detail that might tilt the balance. The notion that Bellingham was ‘protected’ by officials has become a rallying cry in the Catalan camp.

Barcelona players and staff have reportedly refrained from commenting publicly, but insiders suggest that many within the dressing room were left “baffled” by the referee’s leniency. They fear that such decisions could shape the outcome of a league season already rife with tension and unpredictability.

Carlo Ancelotti, on the other hand, refused to be drawn into the debate. In his post-match press conference, he praised Bellingham’s commitment and brushed aside suggestions that the tackle warranted more than a yellow. “It was a strong challenge, yes,” Ancelotti admitted. “But not malicious. Jude went for the ball.”

The incident is also seen by some analysts as a sign of mounting pressure on referees as the season nears its conclusion. “Referees know what’s at stake,” commented one La Liga insider. “Every decision is amplified, and mistakes—real or perceived—can have consequences far beyond one match.”

As Sunday draws nearer, the Bellingham incident looms large. The Clásico is always a match of massive proportions, but this year’s edition could very well determine the champion of Spain. And if Bellingham plays a key role, his involvement will surely be viewed through the lens of this contentious moment.

Real Madrid fans argue that such focus on one tackle is exaggerated and born from desperation. “If Barça were leading the table, no one would care about this foul,” one supporter tweeted. “They’re scared of Bellingham. That’s the truth.”

Whether fear or fairness drives the outrage, one thing is clear: Jude Bellingham has become the center of a storm just days before one of football’s biggest fixtures. And as the countdown to El Clásico continues, the echoes of this refereeing decision will only grow louder.

If Bellingham scores or shines next Sunday, expect Catalonia to revisit the Celta Vigo incident with renewed fury. If he’s kept quiet or Madrid falter, this may fade into the background. But for now, the scandal is alive—and threatening to overshadow the game itself.

What are your thoughts: Was the referee right to spare Bellingham? Or should La Liga have stepped in? Either way, the drama before the Clásico has officially begun.