Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has categorically denied recent reports suggesting that he requested the club to bring back Karim Benzema. The French striker, who left the Bernabeu last summer after 14 successful years, joined Saudi Pro League champions Al Ittihad as a free agent. However, Benzema is reportedly unsettled in the Gulf nation and expressing a desire to return to Europe. Despite rumors claiming that Ancelotti had talks with Madrid president Florentino Perez about re-signing Benzema, the Italian coach vehemently denied such claims during his recent news conference, stating, “It’s a lie. We have not spoken about this with the club.”
Carlo Ancelotti also addressed the recent remarks made by Barcelona president Joan Laporta, who referred to LaLiga as “corrupted” and alleged that Real Madrid frequently benefits from favorable decisions by match officials. Madrid’s victory over Almería saw three VAR interventions, triggering accusations of biased refereeing and sparking another round of debates on the club’s in-house television channel broadcasting videos highlighting contentious refereeing calls before each game. However, Ancelotti refused to engage in the controversy, stating, “I don’t like to talk about controversies. Much has been said this week. LaLiga is not corrupted.”
Carlo Ancelotti then turned the attention to a wider issue plaguing Spanish football—the Negreira case. He alluded to Barcelona’s involvement in the ongoing investigation, emphasizing the need to remain focused on addressing the deeper problems within the sport. Barcelona and its president, Joan Laporta, face charges of alleged corruption and bribery related to payments made to former vice president of the Spanish refereeing committee, Jose María Enriquez Negreira, between 2001 and 2018. Laporta has repeatedly denied any involvement in referee manipulation, asserting that the payments were solely for “technical reports about referees.” As the case unfolds, Negreira will testify as a defendant after a judge dismissed his claim of dementia.
Carlo Ancelotti highlighted the ongoing investigations being carried out by authorities, including the Spanish Civil Guard, as a crucial step towards addressing the problems within Spanish football. He urged patience and trust in the process, emphasizing the need to avoid diverting attention and instead focus on supporting the efforts to ensure a fair and transparent footballing environment. As the truth behind the allegations unfolds, Spanish football has an opportunity for introspection and reform to rebuild its reputation both domestically and internationally.
Carlo Ancelotti’s dismissal of the Karim Benzema rumors and his refusal to engage in LaLiga controversies demonstrate the coach’s commitment to maintaining integrity and focusing on the sport itself. As Spanish football faces challenges in the form of ongoing investigations, it is essential for stakeholders to work together to rebuild trust and restore the credibility of the game. Ultimately, a transparent and fair sporting environment will benefit all clubs, players, and fans alike.