The swirling controversy surrounding referee bias finds a new voice as Dani Ceballos, the Real Madrid and former Arsenal midfielder, steps up to dismiss claims they favour his team.

Arsenal ex-player news - SEVILLE, SPAIN - MAY 27: Rodrygo of Real Madrid celebrates with teammates Alvaro Rodriguez and Dani Ceballos after scoring the team's second goal during the LaLiga Santander match between Sevilla FC and Real Madrid CF at Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan on May 27, 2023 in Seville, Spain. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)
SEVILLE, SPAIN – MAY 27: Rodrygo of Real Madrid celebrates with teammates Alvaro Rodriguez and Dani Ceballos after scoring the team’s second goal during the LaLiga Santander match between Sevilla FC and Real Madrid CF at Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan on May 27, 2023 in Seville, Spain. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)
  • Dani Ceballos bites back at claims of referee bias after Sevilla’s Marcos Acuña’s red card.
  • Ceballos’ future at Real Madrid is in the balance as he has yet to accept the renewal offer on the table.
  • Injury to Ceballos sparked controversy and heated the game.

Following a bruising encounter with Sevilla’s Marcos Acuña, Real Madrid’s Dani Ceballos has staunchly dismissed accusations of referee bias.

Acuña’s red card for his hard tackle on Ceballos in the 83rd minute sparked controversy, a situation that escalated with Acuña’s provocative message on social media that said “It is difficult to play against 12…”, deleted just 10 minutes later.

MADRID, SPAIN - MARCH 15: Daniel Ceballos of Real Madrid warms up during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 leg two match between Real Madrid and Liverpool FC at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on March 15, 2023 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN – MARCH 15: Daniel Ceballos of Real Madrid warms up during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 leg two match between Real Madrid and Liverpool FC at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on March 15, 2023 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

However, Ceballos took the opportunity to bite back. “Leave your team with 10 and come back… That’s is indeed difficult. Really…” he retorted, accompanied by an image of his bloodied ankle, the result of Acuña’s aggressive tackle.

The former Arsenal player’s future hangs in the balance as he has yet to accept the contract renewal offer from Real Madrid with his current deal set to expire at the end of June.

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This situation arises amidst a changing landscape for Madrid, with Carlo Ancelotti, the team’s manager, expressing a personal sadness over the departure of key players like Asensio, Nacho and Ceballos himself.

WEST BROMWICH, ENGLAND: Dani Ceballos of Arsenal runs with the ball during the Premier League match between West Bromwich Albion and Arsenal at The Hawthorns on January 02, 2021. (Photo by Tim Keeton - Pool/Getty Images)
WEST BROMWICH, ENGLAND: Dani Ceballos of Arsenal runs with the ball during the Premier League match between West Bromwich Albion and Arsenal at The Hawthorns on January 02, 2021. (Photo by Tim Keeton – Pool/Getty Images)

These developments occur during a challenging time for the team, with several players’ futures under negotiation as they battle to stay in second place, ahead of Atletico Madrid by just a point. Barcelona are 11 clear at the top with one game remaining, the title sealed weeks ago.

Ancelotti hinted at imminent decisions: “There is a week left and before the end of the last game, everything will have been clarified.” Amidst this uncertainty, the question of who will fill the potential voids in the team is gaining traction.

Jude Bellingham is earmarked as a potential replacement for Ceballos should he choose to move on.

However, as Ceballos weighs his options, fans and pundits alike are left guessing his next move.

Ceballos v Sevilla

Arsenal ex player news - SEVILLE, SPAIN - MAY 27: Dani Ceballos of Real Madrid celebrates the team's victory after the final whistle of the LaLiga Santander match between Sevilla FC and Real Madrid CF at Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan on May 27, 2023 in Seville, Spain. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)
SEVILLE, SPAIN – MAY 27: Dani Ceballos of Real Madrid celebrates the team’s victory after the final whistle of the LaLiga Santander match between Sevilla FC and Real Madrid CF at Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan on May 27, 2023 in Seville, Spain. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)

Dani Ceballos finished the 201 away win over Sevilla with a rating of 7.5, with only three Real Madrid starters getting a lower rating.

Over the course of the 90 minutes, Ceballos, created one chance, completed just 33% of his attempted dribbles, 47% of his ground duels, and was booked for his only foul.

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