Ancelotti Prefers Champions League Referees Over La Liga
Carlo Ancelotti said he prefers Champions League referees. He said there was less controversy and VAR intervention (video assistant referee) as Real Madrid prepared to face Manchester City in the second leg of the playoffs amid a fight over La Liga referees.
Real Madrid won 3-2 at the Etihad Stadium last week, with Jude Bellingham scoring in the 92nd minute, to give the champions a slight advantage ahead of the match on Thursday, February 20, 2025, early morning WIB, at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Real Madrid executives met with Spanish referee bosses on Monday, February 17, 2025, to review audio recordings of the controversial decision to defeat Los Blancos in La Liga against Espanyol earlier this month.
The meeting was the aftermath of Real Madrid's open letter complaining that the Spanish refereeing system was really discredited.
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"Yes," Ancelotti said in a pre-match press conference on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, local time when asked if he felt calmer with the Champions League referee.
"I think there is less controversy and fewer VAR interventions. VAR only intervenes when needed."
"In the Champions League, the best referees in every country lead. So, the quality is very high," he said again.
Real Madrid are unhappy with important decisions in their last three La Liga games, namely a 0-1 defeat against Espanyol, a 1-1 draw with Atletico Madrid, and a 1-1 draw against Osasuna, where Bellingham was sent off.
"I've given my opinion on what happened. What happened was shocking, but I don't have anything to add."
"Obviously we are not happy with what happened against Osasuna, Atletico. Those are three games where we are harmed by decisions that I still don't understand," said Ancelotti.
Ancelotti said he hoped Bellingham would avoid a ban on playing because of his red card.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid said the referee had mistaken his claim that the midfielder had insulted him.
Things are different with Federico Valverde. He instead defended the referee during a press conference ahead of the Champions League match, sparking anger from many Real Madrid supporters.
The Uruguayan international then used social media on Tuesday, February 17, 2025, to clarify his comments.
"I don't want anything to misunderstand me, but most importantly I want to clarify to our fans."
"If today I don't talk about referees, it's because I myself realized it. I have to focus on tomorrow."
"Everyone has seen what happened to us in this league. I don't forget about it, but now we have to focus on tomorrow."
"I will be 100 percent focused as I always did," wrote Valverde.