Carlo Ancelotti, the coach of Real Madrid, has refuted rumors suggesting that he requested the club to re-sign Karim Benzema.
The 36-year-old Benzema departed the Bernabeu last summer after a 14-year stint and joined Al Ittihad, the reigning champions of the Saudi Pro League, as a free agent.
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Despite being awarded the 2022 Ballon d’Or, Benzema is reportedly discontent in the Gulf nation and expresses a desire to return to Europe.
Asked about reports claiming he asked Madrid president Florentino Perez to re-sign Benzema, only for the club to turn it down, Ancelotti said in his Friday news conference: “It’s a lie. We have not spoken about this with the club.”
Ancelotti also dismissed Barcelona president Joan Laporta’s assertion that LaLiga is “corrupt” and that match officials are favoring Madrid.
In Sunday’s 3-2 win against bottom-side Almería, Madrid received assistance from three VAR interventions. Almería contended they were unfairly treated at the Bernabeu and felt they were “robbed.”
These incidents reignited discussions about Madrid’s in-house television channel broadcasting videos showcasing contentious refereeing decisions before each match.
“I don’t like to talk about controversies,” Ancelotti said. “Much has been said this week. LaLiga is not corrupted.”
Carlo Ancelotti then referred to the Negreira case, which has Barcelona under scrutiny.
“Everyone knows what has happened in the last 20 years in Spanish football,” Ancelotti said. “We cannot divert attention.
“Spanish football has had a problem. Investigations are being carried out by authorities, the Spanish Civil Guard. We have to give them time and wait. ”
Laporta is involved in the Negreira case, where he and Barcelona face charges related to suspected corruption and bribery concerning payments made by the club to former vice president of the Spanish refereeing committee, Jose María Enriquez Negreira, spanning from 2001 to 2018.
Laporta contends that the payments were intended for “technical reports about referees” and has consistently refuted any allegations of the club “buying referees or influence.”
Negreira is set to testify as a defendant regarding the payments, as a judge dismissed his dementia claim on Thursday, according to confirmed information from judicial sources to EFE.
