La Liga

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

VINICIUS JUNIOR sent a defiant message to Valencia fans as he scored twice on his return to the ground where he was racially abused.The Real Madrid forward, 23, rescued a point for Carlo Ancelotti’s men in a dramatic 2-2 draw on Saturday night.Vinicius Junior made a powerful stance on the site of his horrific racist abuseCredit: GettyThe Real Madrid star scored twice to rescue a draw for his side away at ValenciaCredit: GettyHe showed his name at the Mestalla, ten months on from his shocking last visitCredit: GettyLos Blancos trailed 2-0 before the Brazilian pulled one back just before half-time and grabbed the equaliser 14 minutes from time. And after both goals, he had a very clear response to the Valencia supporters. Following his first effort, Vinicius picked the ball out of the net and stood tall with a fist raised in the air – a powerful stance synonymous with anti-racism. Then later on he showed the Valencia fans his name on the back of his shirt, cupped his ears and stuck his tongue out. READ MORE ON FOOTBALLThat is because last May, Vinicius was the subject of shocking and vile racism on his previous visit to the Mestalla which led to seven arrests. The Brazilian reported abuse from home supporters during the 1-0 defeat, pointing out alleged offenders to the referee as the match was suspended for nine minutes.Vinicius, who had his red card from the match rescinded, tweeted afterwards: “It wasn’t the first time, nor the second, nor the third.”Racism is normal in LaLiga. The competition thinks it’s normal, the Federation does too and the opponents encourage it.Most read in Football”I’m so sorry. The championship that once belonged to Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, Cristiano and Messi today belongs to racists.”A beautiful nation, which welcomed me and which I love, but which agreed to export the image of a racist country to the world.Jude Bellingham stunned as dramatic ‘winner’ for Real Madrid ruled out as referee blows final whistle with ball in air”I’m sorry for the Spaniards who don’t agree, but today, in Brazil, Spain is known as a country of racists.”And unfortunately, for everything that happens each week, I have no defence. I agree. But I am strong and I will go to the end against racists. Even if far from here.”There were also reports of further disgusting racist abuse by Valencia supporters – including a child – during last night’s match.Jude Bellingham thought he had scored a heroic winner for Real Madrid deep into injury time.However, when he headed in Brahim Diaz’s cross, the referee had controversially already blown the full-time whistle.That prompted a furious reaction from Real Madrid players and coaches alike.Bellingham and Antonio Rudiger were both shown a red card after the end – with the ref claiming the England midfielder said: “It was a f***ing goal.”READ MORE SUN STORIESAurelien Tchouameni then slammed the officials as “embarrassing” on X. But classy Bellingham put his disappointment aside to stop, posing for photos and signing autographs for young fans on his way out of the stadium,Vincius pointed out the supporters who abused him last MayCredit: GettyThe Brazilian rose highest at the back post to make it 2-2Credit: Getty More

JUDE BELLINGHAM unleashed an X-rated five-word rant at the referee before being sent off for Real Madrid.The midfielder was shown a straight red card by Jesus Gil after the full-time whistle in his side’s draw with Valencia.Carlo Ancelotti has revealed the five-word rant that got Jude Bellingham sent offCredit: GettyBellingham was shown a straight red card after Real Madrid’s draw with ValenciaCredit: GettyReal Madrid were denied a last-gasp winner as the referee blew the final whistle before Bellingham scored a late header.Gil was immediately surrounded by outraged players, including Bellingham, who was dismissed by the official.Carlo Ancelotti has now revealed what the England international said to the referee.Speaking after the match, the Real Madrid boss explained: “He didn’t insult the referee. He was respectful. He spoke in English and just said: ‘It was a f***ing goal’.”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLReal Madrid had come back from 2-0 down to pull level thanks to a brace from Vinicius Junior.Seven minutes of stoppage time had been added, with a further minute played after a penalty was awarded to Valencia before being overturned by VAR.Los Blancos won a corner beyond the end of the extra minute, with Gil allowing it to be taken.However, he then blew the final whistle once the ball had been cleared, just as Brahim Diaz went to cross.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSBellingham then converted the ball in, only to realise the whistle had already gone.Responding to the incident, Ancelotti added: “It’s unprecedented.”‘He’s a class act’ say fans as they spot what Jude Bellingham did for group of kids despite disallowed goal controversyMeanwhile, Bellingham was hailed a “class act” by fans after stopping for selfies with a group of young supporters just minutes after his dismissal.Asked how his side can bounce back for their upcoming matches, Ancelotti said: “They just need to look at the table, we are where we want to be.”Real Madrid remain seven points clear of Girona at the top of LaLiga, with their title rivals facing Mallorca on Sunday.Bellingham later stopped for selfies with young fansCredit: XThe England midfielder was hailed a ‘class act’ for his act of kindnessCredit: X More

CLASSY Jude Bellingham brilliantly stopped for selfies with kids just minutes after his red-card controversy on the pitch.The English sensation, 20, was part of the Real Madrid side that dropped points away at Valencia last night.Jude Bellingham posed for photos with young fans minutes after his red cardCredit: XFans online hailed the ‘classy’ England starCredit: XTwo quickfire first-half goals put the hosts 2-0 up before a Vinicius Junior double got Los Blancos level.And Bellingham thought he snatched a last-gasp winner – only for the referee to blow the full-time whistle before the midfielder’s dramatic header.That prompted furious scenes from the Real Madrid players on the pitch and the ex-Birmingham ace was sent off for his angry reaction.But despite the late disappointment, the 2023 Golden Boy still showed his wonderful heart to make some children’s days.READ MORE ON BELLINGHAMVideo footage from inside the Mestalla afterwards shows Bellingham greeting a group of excitable youngsters waiting to meet their hero.The 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.Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSAnd the superb gesture went down well online, too.The Spanish Football Podcast said: “This is brilliant from Jude Bellingham, by the way. Jude Bellingham stunned as dramatic ‘winner’ for Real Madrid ruled out as referee blows final whistle with ball in air”Had a winning goal ruled out. Sent off afterwards. “Still found time to stop and take photos with every kid who asked for one on the way out of Mestalla. Class.”Another replied: “Good on him, and that’s great to see.”A third added: “He’s a good human.”A fourth commented: “Class act.”And a final user typed: “Superclass.”Bellingham thought he won it! 😱The Englishman put the ball in the back of the net, but the final whistle sounded just seconds beforehand ❌Real Madrid players are FURIOUS 😤 pic.twitter.com/MvmLFkZdmH— Viaplay Sports UK (@ViaplaySportsUK) March 2, 2024

On the pitch, though, Bellingham’s frustrations boiled over in the chaotic end.Real Madrid failed to score from a corner deep into injury time and the ball was partially cleared before Brahim Diaz picked it up and headed out towards the corner.Ref Jesus Gil Manzano then blew his whistle to end the match just before Diaz crossed.Bellingham rose highest to nod in, running away in celebration before realising what had happened.Real Madrid players vented at Manzano as Carlo Ancelotti had to calm down his squad – and even some coaches. Former Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger was also dismissed in the aftermath.And Manzano wrote in his report after the game that Bellingham had “ran towards him in an aggressive manner”, before shouting, in English: ‘That’s a f***ing goal’.”READ MORE SUN STORIESJust minutes after the whistle, Aurelien Tchouameni slammed the officials when he wrote on X: “That’s embarrassing.”The draw costs Bellingham and Co the chance to go nine points clear of surprise package Girona at the top of LaLiga.Bellingham headed in after the full-time whistle had soundedCredit: ReutersReferee Jesus Gil Manzano revealed the midfielder blasted him in an X-rated rantCredit: AP More