Real Madrid has moved to tackle the growing chaos around the Copa del Rey final against Barcelona tonight.
The Bernabeu-Outfit published a highly formulated statement on Friday evening in which he stated that they never considered withdrawing from the competition, despite a malfunction in relations with the official team.
Their explanation was: 'In the light of rumors that have arisen in recent hours, Real Madrid CF communicates that our team has never considered playing the final of tomorrow.
'Our club understands that the unfortunate and inappropriate statements of the referees appointed for this match, made 24 hours before the final, cannot affect a sporting event of worldwide interest that is viewed by hundreds of millions of people and also for all fans planning to travel to Sevilla, and for everyone who is already in the Andalus.
“Real Madrid understands that the values ​​of football must prevail, despite the hostility and hostility that has been shown against our club, by the referees appointed for the final.”
The controversy broke out after Real Madrid TV, the internal television channel of the club, broadcasted a very critical video on referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea on Thursday.
The segment claimed that Real Madrid had won 64 percent of their games that was officially made by the Burgos, compared to a profit percentage of 81 percent for Barcelona under his watch. A storyteller described the difference as 'incredible', while the competence of the Burgos was questioned and images of alleged mistakes made during his career were shown on the screen.
After the release of the video, the Burgos gave an emotional press conference on Friday in which he broke into tears as he defended his integrity.
“When a child arrives at school and his friends tell him that his father is a thief, it makes you sick,” he said.
'I try to teach my son, to tell him that his father is an honest man who makes mistakes like any other sportsman. It is very difficult. I don't recommend anyone. '
Sitting next to the Burgos was Pablo Gonzalez Fuertes, the appointed VAR officer for the final, who warned that referees prepared to take action about what he described as unbearable pressure levels.
'You will all see in a few days. We are going to write history and we will not continue to tolerate what we tolerate, “he said, hinting at a possible strike by the referees.
Real Madrid quickly withdrew from their planned pre-match media tasks and canceled their official training session in response to the press conference. However, the club later confirmed that they would still fulfill the fixture.
Earlier on Friday, Real had already issued a first statement in which the video was defended by RMTV as “protected by freedom of expression” and accused the referee team of showing “clear and manifestly hostility and hostility” towards them. They insisted on the Spanish football federation (RFEF) and the referee committee to protect the credibility of the match.
Although Real did not formally demand that the Burgos and his official team would be replaced, a club source told Reuters that the press conference was seen as a 'clear conflict of interest' that the club had left in a state of 'unprecedented surprise'.
RFEF President Rafael Louzan appealed to 'calmness, responsibility and common sense', but refused to comment on whether official changes would be made.
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick also called for more protection for competition officials in the midst of the increasing tensions.
“It is our responsibility to not only protect the players, but also all the people involved in the game,” said Flick.