Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has refuted rumours suggesting that he requested the re-signing of Karim Benzema.
Benzema, aged 36, departed the Bernabeu last summer after 14 years and joined Al Ittihad in the Saudi Pro League.
Despite winning the 2022 Ballon d’Or, Benzema is reportedly unhappy in the Gulf nation and desires a return to Europe.
Ancelotti dismissed claims that he discussed Benzema’s return with club president Florentino Perez, stating, “It’s a lie. We have not spoken about this with the club.”
Additionally, Ancelotti rejected Barcelona president Joan Laporta’s assertion that La Liga is “corrupted” and suggested Madrid benefits from favourable decisions by match officials.
Controversial VAR interventions in Madrid’s recent victory over Almería fueled the ongoing debate about the club’s in-house television channel broadcasting videos highlighting contentious refereeing decisions before each match.
“I don’t like to talk about controversies,” Ancelotti said. “Much has been said this week. La Liga is not corrupted.”
Ancelotti then referred to the Negreira case, which has Barça 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 the Spanish Civil Guard. We have to give them time and wait. “
Laporta is at the centre of the Negreira case.
He and Barça were charged with alleged corruption and bribery over payments the club made to the former vice president of the Spanish refereeing committee, Jose María Enriquez Negreira, between 2001 and 2018.
Laporta has said the payments were for “technical reports about referees” and has repeatedly denied the club has ever “bought referees or influence.”
Negreira is to testify as a defendant over the payments after a judge dismissed his dementia claim on Thursday, judicial sources confirmed to EFE.