Real Madrid has released an official statement after a referee reportedly became emotional during a press conference just before the Copa del Rey final. The club was scheduled to play against their rivals, Barcelona, at the Estadio de La Cartuja later the same day.
However, the Madrid-based team withdrew from scheduled pre-match events following comments made by referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea in his press conference. The Spanish referee became visibly emotional when addressing a video produced by Real Madrid`s official television channel, RMTV. This video had highlighted various refereeing decisions that Real Madrid felt were unfair or incorrect.
An visibly emotional De Burgos Bengoetxea stated:
To see your son return from school in tears because other children have called his father a crook is incredibly difficult. I tell my son that his father is an honorable person. Like any athlete, I make mistakes, but my integrity is intact.
I want my son to be proud of me and of the refereeing profession. No one has the right to subject my fellow referees to the kind of treatment they are currently facing.
According to reports from Reuters, Real Madrid considered the referee`s remarks to indicate a “clear conflict of interest.” A source indicated that the club felt the officiating team for the final should be replaced, but the Spanish Football Association (RFEF) reportedly denied this request.
The club`s actions initially sparked speculation that they might boycott the final altogether.
Real Madrid`s Official Statement
Here is the core of the statement released by Real Madrid:
In light of the rumours that have arisen in the last few hours, Real Madrid C.F. communicates that our team never considered refusing to play in the final.
Our club understands that the unfortunate and inappropriate statements from the referees appointed for this match, made 24 hours before the final, cannot tarnish a sporting event of global importance that will be watched by hundreds of millions of people and also out of respect also for all the fans who are planning to travel to Seville, and for all those who are already in the Andalusian capital.
Real Madrid understands that football`s values must prevail, despite the hostility and animosity that has today once again been shown against our club, by the referees appointed for the final.
Real Madrid subsequently issued a statement asserting they had “never considered” withdrawing from the match. The statement emphasized that “football`s values must prevail,” despite what the club described as renewed “hostility and animosity” directed towards them.
Pablo Gonzalez Fuertes, the VAR official for the final, also attended the press conference alongside De Burgos Bengoetxea. He strongly suggested that referees are planning action to address the persistent pressure they face.
He commented:
You will see in a few days. We are going to take a stand, and we will no longer tolerate what we are enduring.
A strike? You will hear news from us shortly.
Barcelona`s coach, Hansi Flick, also commented on the refereeing controversy. The German coach stressed the importance of protecting officials, just as players are protected.
He remarked:
For me, this is just a sport. It`s just a game.
It`s only football.
It is our collective responsibility to ensure the protection not only of the players but of everyone involved in the sport.
