In a press conference this Sunday to discuss the match between Barça and Rayo Vallecano, Hansi Flick took sides in the controversy between Jude Bellingham and referee José Luis Munuera.
This statement is not at all appreciated by the Madrid fans. Present before the Catalan press this Sunday to talk about the 24th matchday between FC Barcelona and Rayo Vallecano, which will take place on Monday, the Catalan coach shared his opinion on Jude Bellingham’s red card in the league on Saturday evening. While the Madrid side believes that the words of Real Madrid’s number 5 did not warrant a red card from referee José Luis Munuera, who was in charge of the game, Hansi Flick disagrees. For the former Bayern Munich coach, the English midfielder should not have uttered those words.
“It’s disrespectful behaviour”
When asked what he truly thinks about the situation, Flick speaks of a lack of respect from Carlo Ancelotti’s player towards the referee. “The difference between ‘fuck you’ and ‘fuck off’? For me, it’s disrespectful behaviour in any situation. I tell my players not to waste time or energy saying things to the referee. I don’t like that kind of behaviour,” says the Barça coach in front of the press, who refuses to consider the fact that Jude Bellingham is an English player and doesn’t speak Spanish.
On social media, Hansi Flick’s comments sparked anger among Madrid fans, who have brought up instances of Catalan players like Raphinha recently insulting referees without facing sanctions. Others feel that the Barça coach should have dodged the question and focused on his team, as Carlo Ancelotti does when asked a controversial question about another team.
Barça: the big beneficiary of refereeing errors
It must be said, Flick is Catalan and therefore a rival of Real Madrid in the race for the La Liga title. With Jude Bellingham’s red card and the penalties not given by referee José Luis Munuera (a Catalan exposed by Marca) in favour of Madrid on Saturday, Barça now has the opportunity to take top spot in the standings if they win against Rayo Vallecano on Monday night. Well supported by referees, who have made controversial decisions against Real Madrid over the past three matchdays, the Catalans can be rubbing their hands as they are now about to take the lead in La Liga.
In any case, the whole world is witnessing the numerous refereeing errors in Spain. Moreover, within the RFEF, the Spanish Royal Football Federation, measures are being taken to restructure the refereeing institutions in the country. On Saturday night, Alavés also announced that they would file a complaint against the Spanish refereeing body for their disappointing performance, which has affected the normal standings of La Liga. It’s high time things changed, and we put an end to the weekly controversies in Spain.
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