Real Madrid’s Pre-Copa del Rey Drama: A Protest Against Refereeing Comments
In a dramatic turn of events, Real Madrid decided to skip their pre-Copa del Rey final news conference and training session on Friday. This bold move, which also included missing the official photo-call, was a protest against comments made by the refereeing team ahead of the much-anticipated game.
Coach Carlo Ancelotti and star midfielder Luka Modric were scheduled to address the media at La Cartuja stadium in Seville. This was supposed to be their last public appearance before Saturday’s high-stakes match against their arch-rivals, Barcelona. However, Real Madrid’s decision to boycott these events has added an unexpected layer of tension to the final.
According to a source who spoke to ESPN, there was even talk of Madrid considering boycotting the final itself due to the comments. However, another club source expressed doubt that the situation would escalate to such an extent.
The Refereeing Controversy
The heart of the issue lies in the comments made by referee Ricardo De Burgos Bengoetxea and video assistant referee Pablo González Fuertes. These comments, which were critical of Madrid’s frequent criticism of officials on Real Madrid TV, did not sit well with the club. In response, Madrid requested a change in the refereeing team, although the Spanish football federation (RFEF) denied receiving any such request.
Real Madrid released a statement in Spanish, expressing their discontent: “Real Madrid C. F. considers the public statements made today by the referees appointed for the Copa del Rey final to be unacceptable.” The club further accused the referees of demonstrating “a clear and manifest animosity and hostility” against them.
The statement continued, “Given the seriousness of what happened, Real Madrid hopes that those responsible at the RFEF and the refereeing establishment will proceed accordingly, adopting the corresponding measures in defense of the prestige of the institutions they represent.”
Referees Speak Out
Earlier, De Burgos Bengoetxea appeared visibly emotional during the referees’ news conference. He shared the personal impact of the criticism, saying, “When your son goes to school and people tell him his father is a ‘thief’ it’s really messed up.” He emphasized the importance of educating his son about his integrity and the challenges of being a referee.
González Fuertes added, “More than what is said [in the videos], it’s the consequences of what is said.” He highlighted the issue of social media attacks on referees, which can lead to a belief that officials are not honest in their decisions. “When you talk about ‘theft,’ with the frustration you generate in fans, who pays the price is the little boy or girl who picks up a whistle and has to referee a children’s game,” he said.
Real Madrid’s History of Criticism
Real Madrid TV has a history of broadcasting videos criticizing refereeing decisions, especially those involving De Burgos. This week, they highlighted past decisions involving the club, including two previous finals he refereed between Madrid and Barcelona in 2017 and 2023. In February, Madrid sent a formal complaint to the RFEF after a controversial decision in their 1-0 defeat at Espanyol, where defender Carlos Romero was not shown a red card for a challenge on Kylian Mbappé.
Club president Florentino Pérez has been vocal about the need for reforms in Spain’s refereeing system. He even suggested to RFEF president Rafael Louzan that he would like to see English officials working in Spain.
The Stakes of the Final
As Real Madrid prepares to face Barcelona in Saturday’s final in Seville, they are under pressure. The team was recently eliminated from the Champions League at the quarterfinal stage by Arsenal. However, they still have a chance to win a domestic double, as they are just four points behind Barcelona at the top of the LaLiga table with five games left. Meanwhile, Barcelona is chasing a treble.
- Real Madrid’s protest adds tension to the Copa del Rey final.
- Referees’ comments spark controversy and emotional responses.
- Madrid’s history of criticizing referees comes to the forefront.
- The stakes are high as Madrid and Barcelona vie for glory.
Originally Written by: Alex Kirkland,Rodrigo Faez
