Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti has denied rumors suggesting that he sought the return of Karim Benzema to the club. Despite Benzema’s unsettled situation in Saudi Arabia after leaving the Bernabeu last summer, Ancelotti clarified in a news conference that he has not engaged in any discussions with the club regarding Benzema’s potential return.
Addressing Barcelona president Joan Laporta’s claim that LaLiga is “corrupted” and implying Real Madrid receives favorable treatment from match officials, Ancelotti dismissed the assertion, stating, “LaLiga is not corrupted.” He opted not to delve into the ongoing controversies, including the Negreira case involving Barcelona and Laporta, emphasizing the need to let authorities and the Spanish Civil Guard conduct investigations into alleged corruption and bribery within Spanish football.
Shifting focus to on-field events, Ancelotti discussed Real Madrid’s resilience in reclaiming the top spot in LaLiga through comeback victories. In English football, surprises unfolded in the FA Cup, with Maidstone United upsetting Ipswich Town 2-1, while Manchester United progressed to the fifth round with a win against Newport County. Liverpool began bidding farewell to Jurgen Klopp at Anfield with a victory over Norwich City in the FA Cup fourth round.
Across Europe, Barcelona faced a dramatic 5-3 defeat against Villarreal after coming back from a 2-0 deficit, and Bayern Munich secured a 3-2 win against Augsburg, with Harry Kane on the scoresheet.
In women’s football, Chelsea dominated Brighton in the Women’s Super League, featuring Lauren James scoring twice. The weekend also witnessed noteworthy incidents, including a pitch invader disrupting play in England’s League One.
As the football landscape continues to unfold with intriguing developments and unexpected outcomes, both on and off the field, fans are treated to a mix of excitement and controversy, shaping the narrative of the sport across various leagues and competitions.
