Hansi Flick brands Bellingham “disrespectful” after red card issued to the latter for being in thee referee’s face.
Hansi Flick criticises Jude Bellingham over ‘disrespectful’ red card.
Hansi Flick, the manager of Barcelona, said that Jude Bellingham was “disrespectful” to the referee following the England midfielder’s dismissal for Real Madrid.
During Madrid’s La Liga match against Osasuna, which finished in a 1-1 draw, Bellingham was given his second red card of his career. Bellingham was sent off for dissent in the 39th minute by referee José Luis Munuera Montero, but the 21-year-old maintained after the game that he was sent off incorrectly.
“I do not want to go into the details of what was said, but I didn’t insult the referee,” Bellingham said in quotes reported by Spanish media. “I hope they review the footage because it was a misunderstanding, but I am here to apologise to the team as I put them in a difficult situation.”
The Real Madrid manager, Carlo Ancelotti, backed Bellingham in clear terms at his post-match press conference on Saturday. “I think the referee did not understand Jude Bellingham’s English,” the Italian said. “He said fuck off, not fuck you – that’s way different. I won’t talk more about the referee as I want to be on the bench next week.”
When questioned about the incident on Sunday, Flick, whose Barcelona team hosts Rayo Vallecano on Monday night, condemned Bellingham’s behaviour.
“It is disrespectful, but I’m not the one who should comment on it,” Flick said. “That’s what I’ve always told the players. Why waste time and energy arguing with the referee regarding the decisions he makes?”
“There is a player, who is the captain, who has the right to argue with the referee,” the German continued. “I don’t like the behaviour I saw yesterday and I told the players that today. It’s a weakness when you get a red card.”