Real Madrid’s pursuit of Copa del Rey glory has been marred by controversy and tension surrounding the referees officiating the final. The club found itself at the center of a heated dispute with match officials after a tearful interview from referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea and critical statements from other referees.
Despite the escalating drama, Real Madrid has announced their intent to proceed with the final against Barcelona, dismissing calls for any form of boycott. Here’s an in-depth look at the ongoing conflict between Real Madrid and the Spanish referees, their decision to play in the Copa del Rey final, and the tensions that have bubbled over in recent weeks.
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The Incident That Sparked the Row
The controversy ignited when Real Madrid TV, the club’s in-house media service, released a video targeting the officiating performance of Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea, who was assigned to referee the Copa del Rey final. The video revealed that Real Madrid had won 64% of games officiated by de Burgos, in stark contrast to Barcelona’s 81% win rate under the same referee. The video questioned de Burgos’s ability, raising doubts about his impartiality and showcasing images of alleged errors he had made in previous matches.
This video did not go unnoticed. The statements, which were framed in a critical tone, painted de Burgos in a negative light, and the controversy snowballed when he gave an emotional response during a press conference. He expressed deep personal distress, mentioning how the situation had affected his family, particularly his son.
Emotional Plea from De Burgos Bengoetxea
During a press conference on the eve of the final, de Burgos broke down in tears as he described the toll that media scrutiny had taken on him. “Look, we are talking a lot about Real Madrid TV videos and it is truth that it is a lot of media attention about it, but I am going to give you a few samples of things that are happening to colleagues and then you give me your opinion about it,” he said.
De Burgos went on to share a deeply personal story, one that illustrated the emotional burden of his role: “When your child goes to school and is told their father is a thief by other kids, that’s really tough. All I’m trying to do is educate my son, so he knows his father is honest, especially honest, but that also makes mistakes like any other person, and that’s really tough and I won’t wish that to anybody.”
His emotional response was a clear indication of the distress he had been experiencing due to the criticism he had faced, and it also highlighted the extent to which referees are affected by public scrutiny.
Real Madrid’s Initial Response
Real Madrid, clearly upset by the comments from de Burgos Bengoetxea and other officials, initially canceled media duties and the official training session scheduled before the Copa del Rey final. The club’s reaction seemed to signal a potential withdrawal from the match, fueling speculation about a boycott.
However, in a subsequent statement, Real Madrid made it clear that they had never seriously considered such a move. “In light of the rumours that have emerged in recent hours, Real Madrid CF announces that our team has never considered withdrawing from tomorrow’s final,” the statement read. “Our club understands that the unfortunate and inappropriate statements made by the referees designated for this match, made 24 hours before the final, cannot taint a sporting event of global significance.”
Real Madrid emphasized that the values of the sport should take precedence, even amidst the ongoing hostility. The statement continued, “Real Madrid believes that the values of football must prevail, despite the hostility and animosity that have been manifested once again today against our club by the referees appointed for the final.”
The Broader Context of Tensions with Spanish Referees
This latest dispute is merely the latest chapter in a long-running feud between Real Madrid and Spanish referees. Earlier in the season, the club had lodged a formal letter of complaint to the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) regarding the conduct of referees. This followed a series of decisions that Real Madrid found questionable, including a controversial sending off of Jude Bellingham, which was met with public backlash.
Real Madrid’s frustrations with officiating were further fueled by a series of high-profile incidents involving referee decisions. For instance, the club was left enraged after a penalty was awarded to Atletico Madrid during a Madrid derby, a decision that Real Madrid felt was unfair. In addition, a dubious late challenge from Espanyol’s Carlos Romero on Kylian Mbappe led to another round of complaints. Real Madrid’s sense of injustice appeared to grow with every decision that seemed to go against them.
Referee’s Threat of Action
The situation took another turn when Pablo Gonzalez Fuertes, the VAR official for the final, made remarks suggesting that referees were considering taking action in response to the ongoing pressure they were facing. “We are going to start taking real action, we are not going to continue to allow what is happening,” Fuertes declared, hinting at possible future measures. “In a few days, you all will see. We are going to make history and we are not going to continue to put up with what we are putting up with.”
The threat of a potential strike or other forms of protest from the referees added fuel to the fire, making it clear that the situation was far from resolved. Fuertes’s comments sent shockwaves through Spanish football, as it became evident that the officials were prepared to take a firm stance.
Real Madrid’s Final Statement
In response to these developments, Real Madrid issued a scathing critique of the referees’ behavior. “Real Madrid CF considers the public statements made today by the referees designated for the Copa del Rey final to be unacceptable,” the club said in a statement. The statement accused the referees of displaying a clear “animosity and hostility” toward Real Madrid and denounced the “threatening tone” used in their comments.
The club also pointed out that these statements, made just hours before one of the biggest football events in the world, were damaging to the integrity of the competition. “These protests, which have surprisingly focused attention on videos from a media outlet protected by freedom of expression, such as Real Madrid TV, deliberately carried out 24 hours earlier against one of the final’s participants, demonstrate, once again, the clear and manifest animosity and hostility of these referees toward Real Madrid,” the statement continued.
Real Madrid called for the RFEF and the refereeing body to “act accordingly” in response to the situation, emphasizing the importance of upholding the principles of fairness and impartiality.
As the Copa del Rey final draws nearer, the tension between Real Madrid and the referees shows no sign of abating. However, despite the controversy, the club has made it clear that they will not allow these disputes to overshadow the occasion. Real Madrid’s determination to proceed with the final speaks volumes about their commitment to the sport and their desire to focus on what truly matters – the match itself.
For Real Madrid, the challenge now lies in overcoming the animosity and distractions that have surrounded this final and ensuring that their performance on the pitch is unaffected by the off-field drama. Regardless of the tensions, all eyes will be on La Cartuja stadium as the Spanish giants take on their arch-rivals Barcelona in what promises to be a thrilling Copa del Rey final.
FAQs
Why did Real Madrid cancel their media duties before the Copa del Rey final?
Real Madrid canceled their media duties and official training session after referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea’s emotional interview, where he spoke about the criticism and personal attacks he received.
Did Real Madrid ever consider boycotting the Copa del Rey final?
No, Real Madrid confirmed they never considered withdrawing from the final, despite the controversy surrounding referee comments and their ongoing dispute with officials.
What sparked the emotional reaction from referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea?
Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea broke down in tears during a press conference after being questioned about Real Madrid TV’s critical videos, which questioned his officiating in matches involving Real Madrid and Barcelona.
What were the key issues between Real Madrid and Spanish referees?
Real Madrid has voiced concerns over perceived bias from referees, citing incidents such as Jude Bellingham’s controversial red card and VAR decisions that impacted their matches, including a penalty awarded to Atlético Madrid.
How did Real Madrid respond to the referees’ comments ahead of the Copa del Rey final?
Real Madrid condemned the referees’ public statements as unacceptable, calling out their hostility and bias and urging the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) to take appropriate action to protect the integrity of the sport.
