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Real Madrid confirmed they will play Saturday's Copa del Rey final against Barcelona, despite escalating tensions with match officials that led to the cancellation of their pre-match media activities.
The controversy ignited after match referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea broke down in tears during a press conference, expressing the toll criticism — particularly from Real Madrid TV — has taken on his personal life. De Burgos, who will oversee the final, emotionally described how his family, especially his son, had been affected by accusations of bias and dishonesty fueled by media narratives.
The catalyst for the turmoil was a video published by Real Madrid's in-house channel, highlighting perceived injustices in matches officiated by De Burgos. It pointed to a stark contrast in win percentages for Madrid and Barcelona under his supervision, questioning his competence and impartiality.
In reaction to the press conference, Real Madrid scrapped Friday’s scheduled press appearance and training session in Seville. Rumors even swirled about a potential boycott of the final itself — something the club swiftly denied in an official statement.
“At no point has our team considered not competing in tomorrow’s final,” the club said. They criticized the referees' "unfortunate" comments but insisted they would honor the match out of respect for the fans and the spirit of football.
Madrid’s discontent didn’t end there. The club issued a strongly worded demand for the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) to act in response to what they called "hostile and unacceptable" behavior from the officials. They also reportedly requested a change of referees for the final — a request the RFEF ultimately rejected.
Meanwhile, VAR official Pablo González Fuertes backed De Burgos' sentiments, warning that Spanish referees were reaching a breaking point amid growing abuse and suggesting that collective action could be on the horizon.
Real Madrid's tense relationship with Spanish officiating is nothing new. Earlier this season, the club formally complained to the RFEF over refereeing decisions they believed unfairly influenced key matches. President Florentino Pérez has even floated the idea of bringing foreign referees to Spain to ensure greater neutrality.
Despite the backdrop of controversy and heightened emotions, Saturday night’s clásico final at La Cartuja Stadium promises to be a spectacle. Madrid, still reeling from their Champions League exit, are determined to chase silverware, while Barcelona seek to bolster their treble ambitions.
As millions tune in worldwide, all eyes will not only be on the players but also on the men in charge with the whistle.
Featured Image Credit: Pixabay / jossuetrejo_oficial, Pixabay / jorono
