Real Madrid fumes over Referee's 'unprecedented decision' in Valencia draw

Real Madrid has criticised referee Jesus Gil Manzano for disallowing Jude Bellingham's late goal in their 2-2 draw with Valencia on Saturday night.

Despite staging a comeback with two second-half goals from Vinicius Junior after trailing 2-0 by the half-hour mark, Real Madrid felt aggrieved when Jude Bellingham's apparent late winner was disallowed.

Bellingham, returning to the starting XI after a three-week injury absence, headed in from close range in the sixth minute of stoppage time. However, referee Gil Manzano blew the full-time whistle before the cross leading to the goal was delivered. 

In protest against the decision, the England international was subsequently shown a red card.

In thereferee's official report, a furious Bellingham turned on Manzano and shouted: "it's a f****** goal."

After the game, Real Madrid released a statement on their website, condemning the referee's unprecedented decision and asserting that they deserved the victory: "An unprecedented refereeing decision by Gil Manzano prevented Real Madrid from beating Valencia at Mestalla. With the score at 2-2 and in the last play of the game, Brahim [Diaz] crossed into the box and Bellingham headed home to make it 3-2. But the referee disallowed the goal as he had blown for full-time when the Diaz' pass was still in the air.

"The LaLiga leaders deserved all three points, but had to settle for a point after coming back from 2-0 down. Two goals from Vini Jr. tied the match, which was finally settled by Gil Manzano's decision."

Despite the draw, Carlo Ancelotti's side maintain a seven-point lead over Girona at the top of La Liga. However, their title rivals and third-placed Barcelona have an opportunity to reduce the gap with wins on Sunday.