La Liga

JUDE BELLINGHAM has been banned for TWO LaLiga matches for his X-rated rant at the referee after Real Madrid’s clash with Valencia.The England international, 20, thought he had scored a dramatic late winner in Los Blancos’ 2-2 draw on Saturday.Jude Bellingham has been slapped with a two-match ban for his reaction to the referee blowing his whistleCredit: ReutersBellingham will now not feature in LaLiga until at least March 31Credit: RexBut referee Jesus Gil had in fact blown the final whistle before his header nestled in the back of the net.And Bellingham’s furious reaction to the ending of the game saw him receive a straight red card.Now it has been confirmed he will serve a two-match ban for Real Madrid’s next two league matches.It means he will miss his side’s home game against Celta Vigo on Sunday and their trip to Osasuna on March 16.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBut he is available for the second leg of Real Madrid’s Champions League last-16 tie against RB Leipzig on Wednesday evening.The next LaLiga match Bellingham will be available for comes at home to Athletic Bilbao on March 31.Real boss Carlo Ancelotti confirmed after the draw with Valencia exactly what Bellingham said to referee Gil.The Italian manager said: “Something unprecedented has happened and it’s never happened to me before.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS”We were annoyed by Bellingham’s red card because he didn’t say anything insulting. It was frustration.”He didn’t insult the referee. He was respectful. He spoke in English and just said: ‘It was a f***ing goal’.‘He’s a class act’ say fans as they spot what Jude Bellingham did for group of kids despite disallowed goal controversy”Obviously he came close to the referee, but given what had happened that was pretty normal. He did not insult, not at all.”Real Madrid sit seven points clear of Girona at the top of the LaLiga table.They also hold a 1-0 lead over RB Leipzig heading into the second leg of their Champions League tie at the Bernabeu.But Real Madrid were rocked on Wednesday morning by the news that head coach Ancelotti could face a lengthy prison sentence after being accused of tax fraud worth £900,000.Prosecutors in Spain allege that Real Madrid boss Ancelotti failed to declare income relating to image rights in 2014 and 2015.He faces two charges against the Public Treasury, going back to his first spell with Los Blancos. More

CARLO ANCELOTTI could face a lengthy prison sentence after being accused of tax fraud worth £900,000.Prosecutors in Spain allege that Real Madrid boss Ancelotti failed to declare income relating to image rights in 2014 and 2015.Carlo Ancelotti has received calls for a lengthy prison sentence after alleged tax fraud worth £900,000Credit: GettyHe faces two charges against the Public Treasury, going back to his first spell with Los Blancos.According to Marca, Ancelotti is claimed to have only declared income received by Real Madrid during that time.He is accused of creating a “confusing” and “complex” network of shell companies to hide his earnings from image rights, which amounted to £3.5million.Ancelotti was hired by Real on July 5, 2013, and was handed a three-year contract until June 30, 2016 while registering as a tax resident in Spain.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHe was fired by Los Blancos on May 25, 2015, but continued to rent his Madrid home until October that year.It meant Spain continued to be Ancelotti’s “main centre of personal relationships and economic interests” in 2015, according to Relevo.A document added: “He thus pursued the opacity to the Spanish Public Treasury and the concealment of the real beneficiary of the income from his image rights, so that neither he himself nor any of said companies would have to pay taxes on the large amounts received in Spain or abroad.”Ancelotti has not responded to the accusations.Most read in FootballThe former AC Milan and Chelsea boss won the Champions League during his first spell with Real Madrid.He was let go after failing to win the LaLiga title and ended up joining Bayern Munich in 2016.Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti murders karaoke on live TV as ex-Chelsea manager butchers Italian balladAncelotti then had spells at Napoli and Everton before returning to Real in 2021, where he has since won another Champions League and a coveted LaLiga title.Real look on course for another domestic triumph after moving seven points clear of Girona.And they can book their place in the last-16 of Europe against RB Leizpig tonight. More

BARCELONA’S iconic Nou Camp stadium looks completely unrecognisable in stunning images predicting the outcome of its £1billion redesign.The world-famous arena saw work begin in June after last season’s title victory.New images of the finished Nou Camp have been releasedIt will boast the biggest roof in EuropeCredit: FC BarcelonaThe project costs £1billion to completeCredit: FC BarcelonaFirst built in 1957, the Nou Camp saw workers descend with cranes to rip up all 100,000 chairs, as well as the pitch.Redevelopment plans are progressing well after Barcelona provided an update last month.And they are even selling pieces of the Nou Camp’s old turf at £360-a-pop to help fund their new dream stadium.But photos envisaging the final design have now been presented to the public.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLYesterday, the College of Architects of Catalonia unveiled computer-generated pictures showing what the Nou Camp will end up looking like.The stadium will retain its former essence while expanding capacity to 105,000 seats.And a redesigned interior will see escalators added indoors.The press room will also receive an upgrade and boast a theatre-like room for members of the media.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSHowever, the biggest change will be the addition of a roof.The centre-piece of the project will be the largest roof in the whole of Europe.Pedri in floods of tears on Barcelona bench after picking up yet another injury as team-mates console wonderkidThe media room has been redesignedCredit: FC BarcelonaThere’s a sleeker look inside the arenaCredit: FC BarcelonaThe stadium will retain its natural essenceCredit: FC BarcelonaAnd Barcelona are even confident they can start playing in their new home as early as November this year.The project was initially slated to finish in time for the 2025/26 season.But with Barca’s 125th anniversary taking place next term, they could start playing earlier with two-thirds of the capacity.The final third will continue to be worked on, as well as the VIP boxes.And the full arena will be available to use in over a year’s time.Work began on the Nou Camp’s redevelopment in JuneCredit: EPABarcelona hope to return in November and have the stadium completed by 2025Credit: EPA More

DOCTORS are set to check whether Mouctar Diakhaby can “walk again” after he suffered a “very rare” injury that could end his career.The 27-year-old was stretchered off with a horrendous leg injury during Valencia’s 2-2 draw with Real Madrid on Saturday.Doctors will check whether Mouctar Diakhaby can walk again after his horror injuryCredit: GettyThe Valencia star may never play again after tearing all the ligaments in his kneeCredit: EPADiakhaby went down after an accidental collision with Vinicius Jr.And players on both sides were left close to tears, with several burying their heads in their hands.It’s now emerged that the Guinea international dislocated his right knee, tearing his anterior cruciate ligament, his posterior cruciate ligament and several others.Speaking to SER Derportivos Valencia, via Marca, a Spanish doctor has now explained the next steps for Diakhaby.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHe believes the Valencia defender will be out of action for at least a year.But first, docs looking after the ace will first have to ensure he is able to walk again as there’s a risk the detached bone also tore an artery.Dr Enrique Gastaldi claims Diakhaby’s injury is the worst a footballer can get in their knee.The centre-back will require several operations, leaving him sidelined for the next 12 months at best.Most read in FootballAnd even if all goes to plan, there is a “high probability” Diakhaby never plays football again.Dr Gastaldi said: “It is terrifying. The dislocation has taken the anterior cruciate ligament and the posterior cruciate ligament.Valencia players walk off after Mouctar Diakhaby accuses Cadiz defender Juan Cala of racist abuseValencia and Real Madrid players were left upset by the injury at the weekendCredit: GettyIf all goes to plan, Diakhaby is still likely to be out for at least a yearCredit: AP“It is a very rare injury. It is the most serious a player can have in the knee. He has probably torn four or five ligaments, it is a crazy injury.“Think that when the knee dislocates, it comes out of place, the bone comes out of place. And that means breaking the ligaments, which are the anterior, posterior, lateral and exterior cruciate ligaments.“And if the bone comes off, it has to break the ligaments. Once the ligaments break, it can have a complication, which is a vascular injury.“When the bone comes out it can tears the artery, the vein or the nerve. These are very serious injuries from the start.“With this type of injury the first thing I look for is that the patient can walk and there are no more problems. And we are not talking about less than nine to 12 months of sick leave.“In this type of injury there is no need to give deadlines, and the same thing takes one or two operations.“When you have an injury to the femoral artery, your leg is at risk, but you will not have problems walking.” More

REAL MADRID are reportedly set to use the “Mason Greenwood defence” to appeal Jude Bellingham’s red card at Valencia.Los Blancos were trailing 2-0 at the Mestalla on Saturday before launching a comeback.Jude Bellingham was furious when he was denied a winner at ValenciaCredit: APThe Real Madrid star was sent-off after the final whistle but the club have appealedCredit: APA brace from Vinicius brought them level before his England star team-mate was involved in LaLiga’s biggest controversy in years.The 20-year-old was dismissed after the final whistle of a 2-2 draw at Valencia after being denied a match-winning goal.Bellingham thought he had headed a winner deep into stoppage time.However, ref Jesus Gil Manzano blew the final whistle as the ball was in the air from Brahim Diaz’s cross.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLThat led to a furious reaction from Madrid and Bellingham, who boss Carlo Ancelotti claimed told the official “it was a f***ing goal” before being shown the red.Madrid have appealed their 20-goal top scorer’s three-match ban as a result of the red.The LaLiga leaders are allegedly confident the red card will be rescinded – just like his compatriot Greenwood’s was earlier in the campaign, according to the Daily Mail.The 22-year-old forward, on-loan at Getafe from Manchester United, was one of three members of his side to be sent-off against Rayo Vallecano in January.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSGreenwood was sent-off for dissent but that decision was rescinded after an appeal.That was after it was shown that he had said “f***sake” in frustration at not being awarded a foul rather than directing the expletive at the official.‘He’s a class act’ say fans as they spot what Jude Bellingham did for group of kids despite disallowed goal controversyThe Spanish FA, the RFEF, said in a statement after the appeal: “The task of this disciplinary body is not to re-referee the matches, without determining, where appropriate, the existence of a manifest material error in the referee’s description of the action.“As has been said here, only proof of an error of this type can distort the assessment made by the referee and, consequently, the veracity of what was recorded in the minutes.“The repeated viewing of the images, in fact, has allowed this Committee to conclude, beyond any doubt, that the action that led to the expulsion did not occur as described by the referee and, ultimately, prove the material error manifest in the referee’s report.“These images demonstrate that the player actually said ‘One, two, three, four, f***.’”Meanwhile, Bellingham was hailed as “a class act” after the controversy when fans spotted what he did for a group of kids.A clip from inside the ground showed him greeting a group of excitable youngsters waiting to meet their hero.The Three Lions ace smiled for selfies and signed autographs for everyone waiting despite his anger just moments before.READ MORE SUN STORIESThat included a photo with four kids at the end – two of whom recreated his famous celebration with their arms out wide.Bellingham, decked out in his Madrid tracksuit and backwards cap, was happy to smile and engage with the adoring fans before heading out of the stadium.Mason Greenwood’s red card for Getafe against Rayo Vallecano was overturnedCredit: EPA More

BARCELONA star Pedri was reduced to tears on the bench after suffering yet another injury against Athletic Bilbao.The Spain midfielder, 21, has already been sidelined on two occasions this season due to fitness issues.Pedri was devastated as he made his way off the pitchCredit: RexHe was visibly distraught after picking up yet another injuryCredit: GettyThe Spain midfielder could be seen crying on the benchCredit: TwitterHe was ruled out for two months earlier in the campaign due to a hamstring injury, before he missed two matches at the turn of the year due to muscular problems.Pedri had started six of Barcelona’s last eight LaLiga matches coming into their goalless draw with Bilbao on Sunday.But he now faces more time out after going down at the end of the first half.The midfielder was replaced after falling awkwardly when his left foot gave way following contact from Inaki Williams.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHe was substituted for Lamine Yamal, 16, and looked crestfallen on the bench.After covering his face with his shirt as he made his way off the pitch, Pedri was seen crying in the technical area as his team-mates consoled him.He has already missed 71 games over the last three seasons as injuries plague his development.And it is devastating news for Barcelona – who also saw Frenkie de Jong replaced in the first half due to injury.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSSpeaking after the game, manager Xavi said: “Pedri and De Jong’s injuries do not look good, unfortunately. It seems serious.”We are sad, as I think they will be out for some time.”Erling Haaland’s agent ‘meets with Barcelona and discusses Man City star’s future’ in hint at huge transferBarcelona sit third in LaLiga, eight points adrift of table toppers Real Madrid.And they are now set to be without both Pedri and De Jong for their crucial Champions League last-16 second leg against Napoli on March 12.Barcelona earned a 1-1 draw in Italy and will be looking to book their quarter-final spot when the Serie A champions travel to the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys. More

REAL MADRID are set to appeal Jude Bellingham’s red card after he shouted “it’s a f***ing goal” at a Spanish referee.The England midfielder, who faces a three-match ban, is involved in LaLiga’s biggest controversy in years after he was dismissed after the final whistle of a 2-2 draw at Valencia on Saturday.Jude Bellingham was furious after being denied a late winner at ValenciaCredit: ReutersHe was sent-off after the whistle and could face a three-match banCredit: APBellingham thought he had headed a winner deep into stoppage time, but ref Jesus Gil Manzano blew the final whistle as the ball was in the air from Brahim Diaz’s cross.The former Birmingham star is set to discover his fate on Wednesday but Real are confident the red card will be rescinded.Their argument is that Bellingham, who has only just returned from injury, was merely swearing and not being abusive towards the official.The official referee’s match report was published late on Saturday night. It read: “The player (5) Bellingham, Jude Victor William, was sent off for the following motive: After the end of the game and while still on the pitch, he came running over to me in an aggressive way shouting, repeatedly: ‘It’s a f*****g goal’.”READ MORE ON FOOTBALLReal boss Carlo Ancelotti said: “Something unprecedented has happened and it’s never happened to me before.“We were annoyed by Bellingham’s red card because he didn’t say anything insulting. It was frustration.“He didn’t insult the referee. He was respectful. He spoke in English and just said: ‘It was a f***ing goal’.“Obviously he came close to the referee, but given what had happened that was pretty normal. He did not insult, not at all.”Most read in FootballOn Real’s club website, the headline was: “An unprecedented refereeing decision prevents Real Madrid from winning at Mestalla.”And the sub-headline read: “Bellingham scored the winning goal with the last kick of the game, but Gil Manzano disallowed it because he blew the final whistle while the ball was in the air.”BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSMeanwhile, Bellingham was hailed as “a class act” after fans spotted what he did for a group of kids after the controversy.Video footage from inside the Mestalla afterwards shows Bellingham greeting a group of excitable youngsters waiting to meet their hero.‘He’s a class act’ say fans as they spot what Jude Bellingham did for group of kids despite disallowed goal controversyThe 27-cap Three Lions icon smiled for selfies and signed autographs for everyone waiting.That included a photo with four kids at the end – two of whom recreated his famous celebration with their arms out wide.Bellingham, decked out in his Real Madrid tracksuit and backwards cap, was happy to smile and engage with the adoring fans before heading out of the stadium.Carlo Ancelotti is confident Real Madrid can win their appealCredit: Getty More