Carlo Ancelotti Criticizes La Liga Refereeing Amid Ongoing Feud

Real Madrid coach expresses frustration with Spanish officiating, favors Champions League referees

Ancelotti’s Frustration with La Liga Officiating
Carlo Ancelotti, the head coach of Real Madrid, has voiced his growing discomfort with La Liga referees, stating that he feels “more comfortable” with officiating in the Champions League. This comes amid increasing tension between the club and Spanish football authorities over controversial decisions in recent La Liga fixtures.

Real Madrid’s Complaints to the RFEF
Following a surprising 1-0 loss to Espanyol in early February, Real Madrid filed a formal complaint to the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), citing poor refereeing decisions. The incident, where Espanyol’s Carlos Romero cynically fouled Kylian Mbappe but only received a yellow card before scoring the winning goal, left Madrid feeling aggrieved. Their frustrations grew after further contentious calls in matches against Atletico Madrid and Osasuna.

In the Osasuna game, Jude Bellingham was sent off after allegedly swearing at the referee, a move that Madrid believes was a “misunderstanding.” Ancelotti clarified that Bellingham’s words were not intended as an insult but as an expression of frustration, calling the two phrases “way different.”

Could Real Madrid Leave La Liga?
The dispute has led to a report claiming that Real Madrid may even consider leaving La Liga if the alleged bias continues. Despite these frustrations, Ancelotti remained composed in his comments during a press conference, emphasizing that the club was not happy with recent decisions.

“We are not happy with what happened against Osasuna, Atletico, and Espanyol. These are three games in which we have been disadvantaged, and I do not understand it,” Ancelotti stated.

A Clear Preference for Champions League Officiating
Ahead of their Champions League clash against Manchester City, where a place in the last 16 is at stake, Ancelotti expressed a strong preference for referees in Europe. “I am more comfortable with the referees in Europe,” he said. “In Europe, there are far fewer VAR interventions, and they intervene when necessary.”

Ancelotti added that the quality of refereeing in the Champions League is much higher, with the best referees from each country officiating the matches.

What’s Next for Real Madrid and La Liga?
Do you agree with Ancelotti’s views on the difference in refereeing standards between La Liga and the Champions League? Will Real Madrid’s discontent lead to major changes in Spanish football? Share your thoughts in the comments below!