It was supposed to be the grand finale of Spanish soccer’s most storied rivalry — Real Madrid vs. Barcelona, a Copa del Rey final set beneath the lights of Seville’s Estadio La Cartuja. But as the hours ticked down to kickoff, the question on everyone’s lips wasn’t about tactics or title glory. It was something far more surreal: Will this match even happen?
The tension surrounding this final has reached a fever pitch, one that stretches far beyond the pitch and into press rooms, federation offices, and now, social media war zones. And after a dramatic 24 hours filled with boycotts, emotional press conferences, and fiery club statements, Real Madrid has finally made an official decision.
This final was never supposed to carry this much weight for Los Blancos. A season that began with optimism has since spiraled into disarray. Real Madrid have crashed out of the UEFA Champions League, stumbled in La Liga, and now cling to the Copa del Rey as a last chance to salvage a campaign marked by inconsistency.
“Saturday’s Clasico showdown might end up being a measuring stick of just how far Carlo Ancelotti’s side have fallen,” noted one early report from beIN SPORTS, capturing the mood within the Madrid camp. The team that began the season tipped to win everything has looked fragile, clinging to narrow victories and moments of individual brilliance.
Referees push back — and emotions spill over
The storm truly ignited on Friday, when the match referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea and VAR official Pablo Gonzalez Fuertes held an unprecedented press conference. What was meant to be a routine media appearance became something extraordinary.
Gonzalez Fuertes took a defiant tone: “There’s more unity than ever among referees… We’re going to make history, because we’re not going to keep enduring this.” Then came the more human moment. De Burgos Bengoetxea, visibly shaken, broke down in tears: “When your son goes to school and they call his dad a thief, it hurts. I’m just trying to teach my child that his father is honest.”
For Real Madrid, this was seen not as vulnerability but as bias. In response, the club boycotted their training session, skipped the official press conference, and refused to attend the traditional pre-match dinner, choosing silence as a form of protest.
Real Madrid’s official statement: Decision made
As whispers of a boycott swirled online, the moment of truth finally arrived. On Friday night, Los Blancos released a formal statement confirming their participation in the final. “Real Madrid communicates that our team has never considered giving up playing tomorrow’s final,” the club announced.
“Our club believes that the unfortunate and inappropriate statements made 24 hours before the final by the referees appointed for this match cannot taint a sporting event of global significance… We are also respectful of all the fans who are planning to travel to Seville, and all those already in the Andalusian capital.”
“Real Madrid believes that the values of football must prevail, despite the hostility and animosity that have been demonstrated once again today against our club by these referees appointed for the final.”
