“Disrespectful”
After a red card: Barça coach Flick attacks real star
16.02.2025 – 7:02 p.m.Reading time: 2 min.
In Real Madrid’s game against Osasuna, an old acquaintance sees a controversial red card. Barcelona’s trainer has a clear opinion.
Trainer Hansi Flick from FC Barcelona has joined the referee discussion in Spain. Previously, Jude Bellingham from Barcelona’s archrival Real Madrid had seen the red card in the 1-1 against Ca Osasuna on Saturday evening due to an supposed insult.
Flick commented on the topic on Sunday-and it became clear: “I think the behavior is disrespectful,” said the Barça coach, “but it is not entitled to comment on it.” He also said to his players “why should you waste time and energy to argue about his decisions with the referee?” Even more: “I don’t like the behavior that I saw yesterday, and I said that to my players today. It is a weakness when you get a red card.”
According to the referee report, Bellingham is said to have insulted the impartial José Munuera with the English words “Fuck You” during the game. However, the 21-year-old said after the game that it was a misunderstanding. “There was no intention to insult him, there was no insult,” said Bellingham. Instead, he said “fuck off” – to himself and not towards the referee.
Real coach Carlo Ancelotti also defended his player after the game: “I think the referee didn’t understand the English well. He said ‘Fuck off’ and not ‘fuck you’. That is a big difference,” said Ancelotti.
For Flick, on the other hand, it is a clear rule that only the captain can speak to the referee. He cited the handball as a model, in which it runs: “If the referee whistles, the ball remains and the players go back to defense.” He misses such discipline in football.