Fede Valverde explains why he didn’t criticize referees in his last press conference

Real Madrid has been vocal about refereeing decisions in La Liga recently, and midfield leader Fede Valverde also addressed the situation.

Details: During the pre-match press conference for the UEFA Champions League, Valverde was asked about officiating but refrained from criticizing the referees. This decision didn’t sit well with some Real Madrid fans, prompting the Uruguayan to clarify his stance in a statement on his X (formerly Twitter) account. He explained that his focus is entirely on the upcoming match.

Quote: "I don’t want anyone to misunderstand me, but first and foremost, I want to make this clear to our fans: if I didn’t speak today about the refereeing decisions that have affected us, it’s because I KNOW MYSELF, and I need to stay focused on tomorrow. Everyone has seen what has been happening to us in this league, and I haven’t forgotten, but right now, we need to concentrate on the game ahead, and I will give 100%, as always."

Meanwhile, another key Real Madrid player, Jude Bellingham, faces a potential lengthy suspension for allegedly insulting a referee. However, the club plans to appeal the red card in hopes of overturning the decision and avoiding a ban.

Reminder: The length of Bellingham’s suspension will depend on how his words are officially documented in the referee’s report. If it is proven that he insulted the referee, the Englishman could be sidelined for anywhere between 4 and 12 matches.