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      Jude Bellingham will not face punishment over alleged Mason Greenwood ‘rapist’ slur after case is dismissed

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      JUDE BELLINGHAM has seen allegations he called Mason Greenwood a “rapist” dismissed.LaLiga launched an investigation into Bellingham’s apparent slur being aimed at Greenwood during Real Madrid’s clash with Getafe last month.Jude Bellingham has had his case for allegedly calling Mason Greenwood a ‘rapist’ dismissedCredit: GettyBellingham was accused of mouthing the slur at Greenwood after a tackle during Real Madrid’s clash with GetafeCredit: AFPBut LaLiga could not indisputably prove he said the wordCredit: RexIt came after the Real Madrid and England star landed a crunching tackle on the on-loan Manchester United player and appeared to mouth something at him.Getafe asked match referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea to record the incident in his match report, with it later being referred to the Spanish FA.A lip-reading expert was called in by LaLiga to ascertain whether the 20-year-old indisputably used the word.However, Marca now report the probe has been dismissed after it could not be clearly proven whether Bellingham said “rapist” or “rubbish”.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLWith the use of the word unable to be conclusively proven, the case has been dropped.Greenwood, 22, joined Getafe on loan in September, seven months after charges of attempted rape, assault and coercive control were dropped.A source exclusively told The Sun last month how Greenwood wanted the case against Bellingham dropped.They said: “Mason has told them he doesn’t want Jude to be punished and has asked them to drop it.Most read in Football“He doesn’t want bad publicity and wants to get on with playing football.“He was very upset at the time as he didn’t expect it from someone like Jude.“But he knows he’s always likely to be a target for that kind of stuff so he’s accepted he’ll need a thick skin.”Greenwood has settled in Spain with his partner and baby, having scored eight goals with five assists in 26 games. More

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      Classy Jude Bellingham in rarely-seen gesture to rival manager after Real Madrid’s Champions League win over RB Leipzig

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      JUDE BELLINGHAM was involved in a rarely-seen gesture at the end of Real Madrid’s 1-1 draw with RB Leipzig yesterday.The draw was enough to see Madrid through to the quarter-finals of the Champions League after they won the first leg 1-0.Bellingham ran up to Rose to give him a hugCredit: GettyHe then gave his former manager his shirtCredit: GettyAfter the final whistle, Bellingham ran over to RB Leipzig manager Marco Rose.They exchanged a hug before Bellingham gave the manager his jersey as a memento from the match.The two worked together during Bellingham’s time at Dortmund, with Rose leaving the club in 2022.The midfielder followed Rose out the Dortmund exit door a year later when he moved to Real Madrid for £115million last summer.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLFans on X responded generally positively to the gesture, with a Dortmund fan writing: “Jude first started developing his overall game thanks to Marco Rose. Gave him the freedom that got the best out of him on the pitch. Miss both these guys”Another wrote: “What Bellingham did with his old coach is like a bromance!”A third posted: “I like the bond between them both.”While a fourth said: “Memories.”Most read in FootballCHELTENHAM BETTING OFFERS – BEST FREE BET DEALS FOR THE FESTIVAL Rose’s team ran Madrid close despite being unfancied at the Bernabeu.After acquitting themselves well in the first leg and losing narrowly, Leipzig created the majority of the chances during the game in Spain.Jude Bellingham stunned as dramatic ‘winner’ for Real Madrid ruled out as referee blows final whistle with ball in airBut it was Madrid who opened the scoring through Vinicius in the 65th minute against the run of play.Leipzig equalised in the 68th minute through Willi Orban but were unable to find a second that would have taken the game to extra-time. More

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      Jude Bellingham fumes LaLiga chiefs ‘want to make an example of me’ after Real Madrid star slapped with two-game ban

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      JUDE BELLINGHAM accused LaLiga chiefs of wanting to “make an example of me” after being hit with a two-game ban.The Real Madrid star was left incensed when he bagged a last-gasp winner against Valencia on Saturday.Jude Bellingham says his two-match ban is down to LaLiga chiefs wanting to ‘make an example of him’Credit: APHowever, referee Jesus Gil Manzano blew for full-time one second before Bellingham headed home.And the goal was disallowed as Real and Valencia shared the spoils.It provoked an outburst from Bellingham, who told Manzano “it was a f*****g goal.”This resulted in a red card for the England star, which Real instantly appealed.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBut on Wednesday, LaLiga chiefs upheld the decision and confirmed Bellingham will miss Real’s next two league matches against Celta Vigo and Osasuna.The midfielder lined up in yesterday’s Champions League draw with RB Leipzig, as Real’s victory from the first leg secured their place in the last 16.And speaking after the final whistle, Bellingham hit out at LaLiga chiefs for upholding his red card.He said: “I didn’t say anything offensive.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS“I didn’t say anything different to what my teammates said and I think that sometimes, because I’m new, they want to make an example of me.“In the end I have to be responsible for my actions and I’m not proud.‘He’s a class act’ say fans as they spot what Jude Bellingham did for group of kids despite disallowed goal controversy“But I think two matches for that is a bit ridiculous. If it’s two I have to take my responsibility and cheer from the stands.”Real boss Carlo Ancelotti was unhappy with the decision to send Bellingham off against Valencia.Speaking on Saturday, he 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.” More

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      Real Madrid 1 RB Leipzig 1 (agg 2-1): Bellingham’s super assist for Vinicius Jr just enough on nervy night at Bernabeu

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      JUDE BELLINGHAM shrugged off his La Liga ban to help Real Madrid squeak into the Champions League quarter-finals.The England superstar conjured up a super assist for Vinicius Junior after the hour.Jude Bellingham helps Real scorer Vinicius Junior celebrateCredit: GettyVinicius hit a 65th-minute opener but Leipzig hit back to make Real sweatCredit: ReutersAnd though Leipzig hit back straight away through captain Willi Orban, it proved enough to go through on aggregate after Real won the first leg 1-0 in Germany.Bellingham is now set to sit out Madrid’s next two league games against Celta Vigo and Osasuna due to a two-match suspension for his X-rated reaction in Valencia on Saturday.According to the official referee’s match report, the 20-year-old aggressively shouted “it’s a f***ing goal” repeatedly after his last-gasp winner had been chalked off in the 2-2 draw.Bellingham was also fined £513 but Real boss Carlo Ancelotti confirmed before the Leipzig game that the club will appeal his “unfair” punishment.READ MORE TOP STORIESFair to say Wednesday was not a great day for Ancelotti who became embroiled in a tax fraud scandal which could theoretically land him in jail.At least his side managed to get over the line in this last-16 second leg, though they stunk the place out in a toothless first half.Bellingham cut an isolated figure as Ancelotti opted unnecessarily for an extra midfielder and just Vinicius Jnr as an out-and-out attacker.Leipzig really should have capitalised but could not convert any of their numerous chances with striker Lois Openda missing a hatful.Most read in Champions LeagueWilli Orban headed Leipzig level, forcing their Spanish hosts to cling onCredit: RexReal’s unimpressed fans whistled in anger at half-time, during which Ancelotti realised his mistake and brought on Rodrygo for Edouard Camavinga.Openda had sight of an open goal shortly after the break, albeit from a tight angle, after Real stopper Andriy Lunin got it all wrong when rushing out, but the Belgian could not convert.Jude Bellingham stunned as dramatic ‘winner’ for Real Madrid ruled out as referee blows final whistle with ball in airThe hosts finally had a shot on target with 63 minutes played when sub Rodyrgo lashed towards the near post but was denied by former Hereford keeper Peter Gulacsi. And two minutes later, almost inevitably, they had their opener.Toni Kroos won possession and gave it to Bellingham, who raced up the pitch and flicked a gorgeous pass through for Vinicius to fire home.That, on the face of it, looked to be that. But Leizpig levelled instantly when Orban headed home David Raum’s cross three minutes later.The visitors had more chances too through Openda and Orban but could not take them. Dani Olmo hit the bar in injury-time.Real were nervy but got through – though Bellingham and Co will know they were mighty lucky not to crash out.Real midfielder Kroos said: “The result is one thing, how you play is another. At half-time, we felt fine about the result, but not about the way we were playing. “The second half was a bit better, but still not so good that you’d say we clearly deserve to be in the next round. We didn’t do it all that well – but in the end, we’re in the quarter-finals.”Real’s ex-Chelsea defender Toni Rudiger was equally honest: “We suffered a lot. They played well and we played bad. Simple. “We were sloppy, we were slow, zero intensity. We didn’t get in the challenges and in the Champions League you can get punished for this.“This match we don’t celebrate because it was not a good performance but at the end of the day we’re through.And boss Ancelotti admitted: “It was a badly-played match, with little intensity and little attention. “The mental aspect made the difference, it influenced us a lot”.Asked about tax evasion accusations, he added: “We’re talking about something that happened in 2015 because they think I was resident here. READ MORE SUN STORIES”I’ve already paid the fine. I’m convinced I’m innocent. We’ll see what the judge decides.”Meanwhile, Leipzig were left to rue what might have been as Orban said: “We had so many great chances that you need to make the most of.” More

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      Chelsea tracking Nico Williams as they look to beat Arsenal to £43m Athletic Bilbao winger

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      CHELSEA are on the trail of Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams as they start ramping up summer transfer plans.The Blues need a bustling centre forward but are acutely aware of how much that would cost them with Brentord’s Ivan Toney rated at around £100million.Chelsea are tracking Nico WilliamsCredit: EPAThe winger plays alongside his brother Inaki, right, at Athletic BilbaoCredit: EPAWilliams, 21, has a get-out clause in his contract set at around £43 million but he does earn around £100k a week after tax in Spain.He would also fit into Chelsea’s transfer strategy of buying up young, promising players and putting them on long contracts to help subsidise the wage bill.Williams can play on either flank and has scored six goals in LaLiga this season.Chelsea have plenty of widemen and may have to sell before they can buy new players in the summer.READ MORE ON CHELSEAMykhailo Mudryk, Raheem Sterling, Noni Madueke and even forward Christopher Nkunku have been employed on the flanks this season. Williams has also attracted interest from Arsenal.Liverpool have also been credited with interest in the winger to provide further competition to the likes of Cody Gakpo and Diogo Jota.Chelsea have been linked with a move for Toney and also Napoli’s Victor Osimhen and Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyokeres.Williams is currently playing alongside his brother Inaki Williams in Spain.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSThe two are arguably the best players at Bilbao and prove to be an exciting pair of wingers.Inaki represents Ghana on an international while Nico plays for Spain.They are also keen on giving back to their community back in Ghana.The brothers built a school in their native country to help provide opportunities to local children.The school is based in Pokuase, a suburb of capital city Accra.Along with the construction, the footballers also donated an amount of Bilbao shirts to the community.They have also entered the hospitality industry having built a hotel in Accra, named after the Bilbao 39,000 seater San Names stadium. More

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      Jude Bellingham slapped with LaLiga BAN after Real Madrid star’s X-rated rant at referee

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      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

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      Carlo Ancelotti could face four years and nine months prison sentence over alleged £900,000 tax fraud

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      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

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      Iconic football stadium looks unrecognisable with largest roof in Europe as incredible design pictures are released

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      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