Pep Guardiola has hinted he has little sympathy for Jude Bellingham and Real Madrid after the midfielder’s LaLiga sending off for swearing, claiming that referees should be “left in peace.”
Bellingham scored the winning goal in Madrid’s 3-2 win against Manchester City in last week’s Champions League playoff tie at the Etihad Stadium and is set to face Guardiola’s side in Wednesday’s second leg following days of controversy over his dismissal against Osasuna on Saturday.
Bellingham and Madrid have said that the England midfielder said “f— off” towards referee Jose Luis Munuera Montero rather than “f— you,” which is reportedly the reason for Bellingham’s red card.
Madrid have criticised the decision, though the Spanish football federation have condemned the “attacks and abuse” the referee has received in the aftermath.
Speaking in Madrid on Tuesday ahead of the Champions League clash, former Barcelona coach Guardiola said he didn’t feel the translation was an issue in the incident.
“My English is good, but I don’t understand the difference between f— off and f— you,” Guardiola said. “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?”
Guardiola said that despite Bellingham’s red card for swearing, he has not felt it necessary to tell his players to be careful with their language towards the officials.
Romanian referee Istvan Kovacs will take charge the game in the Bernabeu on Wednesday.
“I would not say never, ever but rarely do I talk about the referees with my players,” Guardiola said.
“Maybe in the circumstances where the days before it is impossible to forget because it’s in the vibe of the locker room and the media, but most of the time I don’t even know who the referee will be.
“Yesterday [Monday] and this morning, we didn’t talk with the team and it’s not going to happen tonight or tomorrow.”