Jude Bellingham: Real Madrid Star Sees Red After Controversial Ref Decision vs Valencia

Jude Bellingham: Real Madrid Star Sees Red After Controversial Ref Decision vs Valencia

Martin Moses
updated at March 3, 2024 at 8:01 AM
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  • Jude Bellingham was given a straight red card against Valencia
  • The midfielder was booked for dissent after the final whistle
  • Vinicius Junior scored twice to help Real Madrid grab a point

Real Madrid players and fans were left shocked after the referee ended their game against Valencia in a bizarre fashion on March 2.

The record European champions travelled to the Mestalla Stadium looking to widen the gap between Barcelona and Girona in the La Liga race.

Jude Bellingham, Real Madrid vs Valencia, La Liga, Carlo Ancelotti
Real Madrid players surround the referee at the end of their game against Valencia. Photo by Jose Hernandez.
Source: Getty Images

Hugo Duro fired the hosts ahead with a header past Andriy Lunin before Roman Yaremchuk capitalised on a poor backpass from Dani Carvajal to double the lead inside the first half-hour.

Vinicius Junior, however, took matters upon himself, pulling one back for Carlo Ancelotti's men just before the break. The Brazilian winger then doubled his tally in the 76th minute to restore parity for the Los Blancos.

Jude Bellingham's red card

The contentious moment of the game came in the last play in stoppage time. Jude Bellingham thought he had won the game for Real Madrid, only for the referee to blow for the end of the game just as the ball hit the net.

The infuriated Real Madrid players milled around the referee Jesus Gil Manzano, demanding an explanation, with Bellingham hurling expletives at the Spanish official. The England international was shown a direct red card.

Real Madrid's statement on Valencia game

Real Madrid have released a hard-hitting statement, calling the referee's decision 'unprecedented.'

"An unprecedented refereeing decision by Gil Manzano prevented Real Madrid 's victory against Valencia at Mestalla."

Ancelotti echoed the club's statement but called for his players to be level-headed as they wait for the referee's report.

"What to say, there is not much to say. Something unprecedented has happened. The players are angry, but we all have to calm down," as captured by Football Espana.

The result takes the capital club to 66 points, seven ahead of Girona, who play on Sunday.

Jude Bellingham watches brother Jobe play

Sports Brief reported last year how Jude Bellingham is supportive of his smaller brother, Jobe.

The Real Madrid superstar opted not to enjoy his holidays in Spain but returned to England.

Jude visited the MKM Stadium to watch his younger brother in action.

Authors
Martin Moses photo
Martin Moses
Martin Moses is a sports journalist with over five years of experience in media. He graduated from Multimedia University of Kenya (Bachelor of Journalism, 2017-2021)