Real Madrid star Casemiro has criticised the club's fans for booing team-mate Gareth Bale over the weekend.
Wales skipper Bale was introduced as a second-half substitute against Getafe on Saturday night, brought on in place of striker Karim Benzema as Los Blancos saw out a 2-0 win to keep them on course for the title. Boss Carlo Ancelotti's decision to bring Bale on prompted whistles, jeers and boos from the Bernabeu crowd though.
Bale, unfazed by the reception, smiled as he ran onto the pitch, with his subsequent touches of the ball also bringing a chorus of boos. Casemiro has now slammed the supporters for their actions.
READ MORE: What Gareth Bale did in response to loud boos from Real Madrid fans
He said: "It’s never nice to hear a team-mate being whistled by our fans. I heard Bale being whistled the other day and I didn’t like that. He’s a historic player. When you whistle him you’re whistling at the history of this club.”
The Welsh skipper will leave the Spanish capital when his contract expires at the end of the season, bringing an end to a trophy-laden spell in Madrid. Ancelotti believes he should be treated with respect for what he has achieved with the European giants.
“The booing is understandable but our fans need to understand that their support is very important too,” he said on Saturday. “Yes, Bale was booed but he is a professional, he is doing well in training and if necessary he will play this final stretch of the season. The fans have to understand that.”
He added in the build-up to the match that Bale will go into the history books of the club. Ancelotti said: "He had problems and lately he hasn't played, but he's a player who has entered the history of the club with his titles and goals. He is fine, he's in good physical condition. He has shown that with his national team and he wants to show it here. He's confident, he wants to finish well with this club."
Bale's relationship with the Spanish media is at its lowest ebb following the recent international break, which you can read all about here. He hit back at a columnist calling him "a parasite" in a stinging social media post, which you can find here.
