« Ce n’est pas une faute, ce n’est pas une faute ! Incroyable ! »
Real Madrid secured a 3-0 victory against Valencia at the Mestalla stadium, but the fixture was overshadowed by severe post-match tunnel altercations involving players and security personnel, Foot Mercato reported.
Tunnel Altercations Erupt at Mestalla Stadium
The hostilities at a hostile Mestalla stadium began as Valencia players utilized physical duels and on-field provocations to disrupt the visitors. Jude Bellingham engaged in heated exchanges with Pepelu and Pablo Maffeo, requiring Federico Valverde to intervene. However, the situation truly boiled over during the halftime interval as teams retreated to the dressing rooms. Reports from À Punt Esports, ABC, and Marca indicate that a violent confrontation broke out in the tunnel area involving multiple Madrid players and venue security.
The escalation initially stemmed from fierce protests by Valencia sporting director Braulio Vázquez, who targeted the officiating team over the buildup to Madrid’s opening goal. Vázquez’s vehement complaints required the intervention of the Spanish National Police, as documented in the official referee’s report filed by José Francisco Hernández Maeso.
Bellingham and Rüdiger Face Serious Allegations
According to initial disclosures by journalist Nacho Sanchis of À Punt, Jude Bellingham allegedly struck a security guard, while Antonio Rüdiger reportedly slapped another member of the security detail. ABC corroborated the presence of Éder Militão during the chaotic scenes. Marca provided additional narrative details, asserting that Rüdiger delivered a facial strike to an agent attempting to separate the players. Ibrahima Konaté reportedly tried to calm the situation by urging participants to step back, while Valencia officials claim to possess video evidence capturing the German defender’s actions.
Despite the severity of the alleged physical clashes, referee Hernández Maeso omitted any mention of player altercations in his official match report. The document only notes the actions and subsequent removal of sporting director Vázquez, leaving Valencia CF officials baffled given the reported video footage.
Disciplinary Uncertainty Ahead for Real Madrid
The disparity between media reports and the official referee’s report leaves the potential disciplinary consequences for Bellingham and Rüdiger unclear.
Match Incident Questions
Why did the referee omit the tunnel altercations from his official report?
Referee José Francisco Hernández Maeso filed his official account without logging player altercations, noting only the removal of Valencia sporting director Braulio Vázquez, despite venue security agents reportedly informing match officials about the tunnel disputes.
What specific evidence does Valencia CF hold regarding the tunnel clash?
According to Marca, Valencia CF officials claim to possess video footage documenting the incidents, specifically capturing actions involving defender Antonio Rüdiger.
Which players were directly implicated by media reports?
Reports from À Punt and Marca specifically named Jude Bellingham and Antonio Rüdiger as being accused of striking members of the Mestalla security detail, with Éder Militão and Ibrahima Konaté also noted as present during the incidents.
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