Xavi Responds to Carlo Ancelotti’s Comments About Referees After Real Madrid’s Draw vs Sevilla

Xavi Responds to Carlo Ancelotti’s Comments About Referees After Real Madrid’s Draw vs Sevilla

Edwin Kiplagat
updated at October 26, 2023 at 5:42 AM
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  • Xavi Hernandez has responded to Real Madrid coach, Carlo Ancelotti
  • The Barcelona boss was responding to comments Ancelotti made about referees after Madrid drew 1-1 with Sevilla
  • Madrid saw two goals ruled out, but Ancelotti declined to talk about officials for fear of getting banned

Real Madrid were held to a frustrating draw away to Sevilla on Saturday, but officiating dominated the headlines after some of their goals were ruled out. Carlo Ancelotti had some words about the referee in the match.

Barcelona manager, Xavi Hernandez has responded to Ancelotti's remarks about referees, which is always a heated topic in Spain.

Xavi, Carlo Ancelotti, Barcelona, Real Madrid El Clasico.
Real Madrid and Barcelona are separated by a point ahead of El Clasico. Photo by Joan Valls/Urbanandsport /NurPhoto.
Source: Getty Images

Federico Valverde's goal was correctly ruled out for offside in the build-up before Jude Bellingham's strike was controversially ruled out because of an alleged foul by Antonio Rudiger.

After the game, Ancelotti said he did not want to talk about referees for fear of getting a ban.

"Irony is the only way after this match because I think that if I say what I think about the refereeing I'll receive a lot of games' suspension," he said, via 90min.

The game was also marred by racist abuse towards Madrid's Vinicius Junior.

Barcelona won their game on Sunday against Athletic Bilbao and are now just a point behind Real Madrid in the table after 10 games.

Xavi responds to Ancelotti

Speaking ahead of Barcelona's Champions League clash against Shakhtar, Xavi agreed with Ancelotti's remarks.

"I think Madrid felt they were hard-done against Sevilla, and they complained about it. Nothing more. It’s natural. And Ancelotti is right, if you speak, they ban you for two games," he said, via Football Espana.

He admitted that making the referees the topic of discussion is not good. He said that they talk about referees too much.

"I think in general, we should be able to admit mistakes. But it’s true that if we speak about referees a lot, it’s not good. Within the Barcelona dressing room, we’re not worried about it. We always believe that they will do the best they can."

The first El Clasico clash of the season is set for Saturday, and both sets of fans will be keeping an eye on the officials.

Recently, Barcelona president Joan Laporta was charged with bribery for alleged payments to former refereeing official, Enriquez Negreira.

He responded by saying that their arch-rivals Real Madrid are being favoured in the media and other sectors. He implied that Real Madrid are afraid Barcelona will be more successful under his leadership.

Barcelona's Xavi gets trolled by fans

Sports Brief also reported on fans trolling Barcelona coach Xavi after he celebrated a goal with enthusiasm before it was eventually ruled out for offside.

His celebration of the disallowed goal triggered a flurry of reactions, with many comparing the manager's joy to that of a UEFA Champions League winner.

Authors
Edwin Kiplagat photo
Edwin Kiplagat
Edwin Kiplagat has five years of experience in journalism working as a Sports Editor at Africa Insight Communications and ESPN. Edwin Kiplagat is a Bachelor's Degree holder in journalism from the Multimedia University of Kenya.
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