Pep Guardiola found himself involved in the controversy surrounding Real Madrid and Jude Bellingham when the young Englishman received a red card for swearing at the referee, by calling his opponent to leave the referees alone.Real Madrid’s legend: “Mbappe will score more than 40 goals”Bellingham was at the center of attention after being sent off by referee Jose Luis Munuera Montero for foul and abusive language directed at the referee during the match against Osasuna last weekend. The Spanish referee accused the Real Madrid star, saying that Bellingham shouted “f*** you” at him after being frustrated by one of his decisions.In his defense, as strange and absurd as it may sound, the 21-year-old player claimed that the curse was “f*** off” (as if that makes a difference). He also stated that the insult was directed at himself, not the match’s main referee.’F**k off’ or ’F**k you’? Jude will be punished no matter howWith the belief that the referee committee was against them, the Royal Club accused the referees of bias and met with La Liga’s referee committee (CTA).Ahead of tonight’s match in the second leg of the playoff for a spot in the Champions League Round of 16 against Manchester City, the coach of tonight’s visitors had something to say about the Englishman’s actions.”My English is good, but I don’t understand the difference between f*** off and f*** you,’ said Guardiola. ‘But what’s important is the intention, not the insult. The best thing is not to do it and leave the referees in peace. There have always been decisions. You should ask Jude what his intention was. That’s what matters. Maybe you can insult someone with a great smile on your face and that wouldn’t be that bad, right? I read that there is an investigation – wow. Come on. Leave him alone.” said Manchester City’s strategist.🎙️| Pep Guardiola on Bellingham rudely swearing at a referee: “You should ask Jude his intention was, F**k you, or F**k off? that’s what really counts, that’s what matters…” “I read there is an investigation into the ref. Come on. Leave him alone!” 🗣️‼️📰 via @ManCity pic.twitter.com/YnoDjKyKdI— City HQ (@City_HQs) February 18, 2025 The upcoming match will be officiated by Romanian referee Istvan Kovacs, and the Spaniard also spoke about his relationship with referees.”There’s the human being that wants to perform well because it’s not just you and me, it’s all the planet.That’s why the decisions they take, they want to be good. Sometimes it happens, sometimes it doesn’t, but I don’t think so they will feel the pressure.I rarely talk about referees with my players. Most of the time I don’t know who the referee will be. This morning I didn’t talk about that with the team and I assure you it won’t happen tonight nor tomorrow.” concluded Guardiola.UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE – PLAYOFFSReturn legTuesdayMilan – Feyenoord 1-1 (0-1)/Gimenez 1 – Carranza 73/Feyenoord win 2-1 on aggAtalanta – Club Brugge 1-3 (0-3)/Talbi 3, 27, Jutgla 45+3 – Lookman 46/Brugge win 5-2 on aggBayern – Celtic 1-1 (0-0)/Kuhn 63 – Davies 90+4/Bayern win 3-2 on aggBenfica – Monaco 3-3 (1-1)/Akturkoglu 22, Pavlidis 76 pen, Kokcu 84 – Minamino 32, Ben Seghir 51, Ilenikhena 81/Benfica win 4-3 on aggWednesday 20.45: (1.95) Dortmund (3.50) Sporting (3.90)23.00: (1.18) PSG (7.25) Brest (15.0)23.00: (2.30) PSV (3.45) Juventus (3.05)23.00: (1.85) Real Madrid (3.80) Man.City (4.00)***odds are subject to change***
