Barcelona legend Gerard Pique has weighed in on Jude Bellingham’s controversial sending off against Valencia.
The English star was dismissed for dissent towards referee Jesus Gil after what would have been a last-gasp winner was ruled out because the final whistle had already blown.
Reflecting on the incident, Real coach Carlo Ancelotti said: ‘He didn’t insult the referee. He was respectful. He spoke in English and just said: ‘It was a f***ing goal.’
During a Twitch stream, Pique said via Marca: ‘We all already know the level that this referee is at.
Jude Bellingham was sent off after the final whistle in Real Madrid’s 2-2 draw with Valencia
The England star leapt onto the end of a flying cross struck as the whistle blew on added time
Former Barcelona defender Gerard Pique has now weighed in on the officiating controversy
‘He sent me off at El Sadar, and I didn’t say anything, but apart from this, which in the end doesn’t matter to me, he has a history that I don’t understand, because he is an international referee, he should be at the top level.’
Back in November 2022, Pique was sent off at half time for a verbal tirade at match officials in Barcelona’s win over Osasuna.
After Jesus Gil – the same referee that dismissed Bellingham – had sent off Robert Lewandowski, Pique sought out match officials on the field at the half time whistle and then in the tunnel.
The referee’s report claimed Pique said: ‘You are the referee who has most screwed Barcelona by some distance. You are a f**king disgrace.’
‘Yesterday is not the first time he has done it,’ Pique added. ‘I understand that Madrid can complain, he should have whistled much earlier, it’s not an incorrect whistle, it’s a late whistle. Blowing just when you’re crossing doesn’t make any sense.’
Hugo Duro and Roman Yaremchuk handed Valencia a two-goal lead within the opening half-an-hour on Saturday night but Vinicius Junior replied with a brace.
Seven minutes were added on at the end of the chaotic game and Gil added a further minute after awarding a penalty to Valencia and then changing his mind after a pitchside review.
Pique was sent off for arguing with the same referee in his final Barcelona appearance
Bellingham was left in disbelief after his last minute winner wasn’t allowed to stand
That additional time was up when Real won a corner with 98:13 on the clock.
Gil let Madrid take the corner and instead of blowing the final whistle immediately after the kick had been taken, he allowed play to continue long enough for Brahim Diaz to cross and Bellingham to score.
The goal wasn’t allowed to stand, prompting angry scenes and Bellingham’s red card for dissent.
‘It’s unprecedented,’ said Ancelotti, who had watched his team claw back a 2-0 deficit only to be denied all three points by a matter of seconds.
