Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has responded to Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez and President Joan Laporta, following their comments on refereeing in Spain, claiming that it was all distraction from the real issue.
After Real Madrid beat Almeria 3-2 on Sunday, involving multiple controversial VAR interventions, Xavi told the press that ‘you all saw what happened, it will be difficult to win this league’. Meanwhile Laporta spoke later in the week, and was considerably stronger, declaring that ‘La Liga is adulterated, and VAR has been taken hostage’.
Ancelotti said that it was a manner of distracting from the Negreira case, which took a major turn this week.
“This week they have talked a lot. I think the same as what I said before, I don’t like getting into this kind of thing. We don’t need to distract from the key issue. Everyone knows what has happened in the last 23 years in Spanish football, here is the problem. The League is not adulterated, Spanish football has had a problem. Now the anti-corruption prosecutor’s office and the police are carrying out the investigation and now we have to wait. We must not distract from the key issue.”
First asked about Laporta’s comments, Ancelotti was not forthcoming with his thoughts on Xavi’s comments.
“I would prefer not to respond to that. I don’t want to reveal my personal thoughts on that.”
Atletico Madrid legend Paulo Futre has also waded into the controversy this week, calling Ancelotti’s press conference after the Almeria game ‘shameful’. Ancelotti had claimed that he felt all three decisions were correct.
“I know him, but I have never spoken to him, I don’t want to answer him.”
AnuateziBenedict
500
Barca is really trying hard to distract the federation
Jamaicanballa10
413
Mr Ancelotti that match against Almeria was a lil sus. I know all Madrid supporters, players and staff won’t see the errors which led to Madrid winning the game. But that game made me wonder the use of VAR. VAR can be good sometimes but when it bad it’s bad.
wiseman450
332
When I was younger I thought adults will always say the truth but now I know is the opposite, Real Madrid won against Almeria and got the 3 point which is very important, But saying all the decisions made by the referee on that day was correct is hypocrite, its show how useless, and stupid Ancelotti and all the real Madrid fans think ,
FemiBalogun
160
they thought we didn't remember again 😂😂😂😂 they didn't rubbed only la Liga clubs, many European clubs suffered from their corruption.