Guardiola calls for Madrid to leave referees alone amid Bellingham red card row

Pep Guardiola has waded in on Jude Bellingham's red card controversy, calling for Champions League rivals Real Madrid to leave referees alone.

Bellingham has been at the centre of a storm after he was sent off by referee Jose Luis Munuera Montero for foul and abusive language against Osasuna at the weekend.

The Spanish referee accused the former Birmingham City wonderkid of shouting 'f*** you' in his direction, as Bellingham vented his frustration.

Nevertheless, Bellingham's account of the scenario is different, with the 21-year-old adamant that he said 'f*** off'. He also claimed that the language used was aimed at himself in frustration, rather than at the match official.

The Madrid hierarchy are believed to have accused officials of bias and have met with LaLiga's refereeing council (CTA), according to reports in Spain.

Ahead of Los Blancos' Champions League play-off second leg with Manchester City, Guardiola has stressed that the manner in which Bellingham used the language is key.

'My English is good, but I don't understand the difference between f*** off and f*** you,' said Guardiola. 'But what's important is the intention, not the insult. The best thing is not to do it and leave the referees in peace.

'There have always been decisions. You should ask Jude what his intention was. That's what matters.

'Maybe you can insult someone with a great smile on your face and that wouldn't be that bad, right? I read that there is an investigation - wow. Come on. Leave him (the referee) alone.'

City travel to the Bernabeu on Wednesday knowing they have to overturn a one-goal deficit from the first leg to qualify for the round of 16.

Romania's Istvan Kovacs will take charge of European football's modern 'Clasico' between the last two Champions League winners.

Despite Bellingham's red card row, Guardiola has not felt it is needed to remind his players to be respectful to Kovacs and his team of officials while in Madrid.

'For the referee when there's scrutiny, they are in front of the whole of Europe and all around the world,' continued Guardiola.

'There's the human being that wants to perform well because it's not just you and me [who see them], it's all the planet.

'That's why the decisions they take, they want to be good. Sometimes it happens, sometimes it doesn't, but I don't think so they will feel the pressure.

'I rarely talk about referees with my players. Most of the time I don't know who the referee will be. This morning I didn't talk about that with the team and I assure you it won't happen tonight nor tomorrow.'

City have not exited the Champions League before the last 16 since 2012-13, when they were knocked out in the group stage.

Guardiola's side have faced Real Madrid in five of the last six seasons, winning at the Bernabeu in just one of those ties.