Real Madrid will send a banned Italian referee for the match against RB Leipzig in the Champions League

Real Madrid's outrage was a missile aimed at the Spanish Football Federation and the Referees Committee this weekend after the final whistle came just before Jude Bellingham's would-be winner against Valencia. Yet the official they will receive in Europe has certainly been questioned of late.

While it will be Davide Massa who will make his Champions League knockout stage debut as the main referee Real Madridmeeting with RB Leipzig, Football Italy detail that Marco di Bello will be the fourth official. Recently in charge of a Lazio-Milan clash that ended 1-0 to the visitors, after three red cards and no shortage of controversy, di Bello was banned from the competition for a month of action.

Serie A referee Marco di Bello has just received a one-month suspension in Italy but will be part of the refereeing team for #RealMadrid on wednesday @footballitalia pic.twitter.com/dzJHWI199A

— Football Spain (@footballespana_) March 4, 2024

There is talk of returning to Serie B only after his suspension is also complete. Provided Massa stays fit, di Bello shouldn't have much of an impact on the match against Leipzig. However, the Blancos need no excuse to criticize the referees of recent years, with the line out of Valdebebas believing that the decision of Jesus Gil Manzano is the the biggest scandal in recent years.