Real Madrid says that they have never considered boycotting the Copa del Rey final, despite the explosive of 'unacceptable' comments from civil servants after a tearful interview from the competition referee.
Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea, who will officer the cup -final between Real Madrid and Barcelona, broke into tears during a press conference on Friday after being asked about Real Madrid TV videos who attacked referees.
A video that was released on Thursday by Real's internal service claimed that Madrid won 64 percent of their competitions that was referred by the Burgos BengoetXea, compared to 81 percent won by Barcelona under his watch. An unnamed voice called it “an incredible difference”, while he also questioned his talent and show images of his alleged mistakes.
Real Madrid canceled the media people and the official training session prior to the final after the interview of the Burgo -Bengoetxea, before he later confirmed that they would still play in the game.
“In the light of rumors that have emerged in recent hours, Real Madrid CF announces that our team has never considered withdrawing from the final of tomorrow,” said a Real Madrid statement.
“Our club understands that the unfortunate and inappropriate statements of the referees designated for this competition, made 24 hours before the final, cannot infected a sporting event of global significance that hundreds of millions of people are viewed, and out of respect for all fans planning to travel to Sevilla and all those who are already in the Andalus in the Andalus.
“Real Madrid is of the opinion that the values of football should prevail, despite the hostility and hostility that have again been manifested against our club today by the referees appointed for the final.”
It is the latest development in a constant feud between Spanish officials and Real.
Earlier this season, Real filed a letter of complaint against the referees of the Spanish League, as a result of which Liga President Javier Tebas accused the club of “losing their mind”.
Concern about abuse aimed at referees, the RFEF led to issue a statement in February after Jose Munuera Montero was the subject of a return after broadcasting Jude Bellingham by Real Madrid.
Emotional De Burgos Bengoetxea hits Madrid TV Video back
A tearful the Burgo -Bengoetxea said: “Look, we are talking a lot about Real Madrid TV videos and it is the truth that it is a lot of media attention about it, but I will give you a few examples of things that happen to colleagues and then give me your opinion about it.
“When your child goes to school and is told that their father is a thief by other children, that is really difficult.
“The only thing I try to do is train my son, so he knows that his father is honest, especially honest, but that also makes mistakes like any other person, and that is really difficult and I don't want anyone.
“But the day I retire, I want my son to be proud of what his father did and referee and its values. Everything we go through, not only in professional football, that influences our families, but also in basic football.
“So it's time for everyone to think about what we want to do and what we want to achieve in sport and in football. Okay? I just wanted you to know about it.”
Later on Friday, the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) posted on social media: “Real Madrid CF has announced the RFEF that it will not keep the press conference or the official training session prior to the Copa del Rey final planned for today in La Cartuja Stadium in Sevilla.”
The VAR for Saturday's final, Pablo Gonzalez Fuertes, had previously said that civil servants will take quickly action because of the constant pressure with which they are confronted.
“We are going to take real action, we will not continue to allow what is happening,” he said.
“In a few days you will all see. We will write history and we will not continue to tolerate what we tolerate. A strike? You will soon have news from us.”
Real Madrid call on RFEF to 'act accordingly'
In response to the comments, a Real Madrid statement was: “Real Madrid CF is considering the public statements made today by the referees designated for the Copa del Rey -Final, planned for tomorrow, 26 April 2025, to be unacceptable.
“These protests, which have surprising attention aimed at videos of a media outlet protected by freedom of expression, such as Real Madrid TV, which are deliberately performed 24 hours against one of the participants of the final, again show the clear and manifest hostility and hostility of these referees to Real Madrid.
“Even more surprising statements, in an imminent tone, that refer to the unity of the referees, were used to announce alleged measures or actions that are far below the principles of fairness, objectivity and impartiality that should only rule a few hours for a football event that should attract the attention of hundreds of million people around the world.
“Given the seriousness of what happened, Real Madrid hopes that those responsible for the RFEF and the referee will act accordingly, taking the necessary measures to defend the prestige of the institutions they represent.”
Real's feud with Spanish referees reached a new level after broadcasting Bellingham in February.
Earlier that month, Real Madrid wrote a formal letter to the RFEF after a 1-0 defeat by Espanyol, with the winner scored by Carlos Romero -who should have already been sent away for a late challenge on Kylian Mbappe.
The club was also furiously left by a VAR-Kraonde penalty given to arch-rivals Atletico Madrid who saw the Madrid Derby ended in a 1-1 draw a week later.