The Copa del Rey final between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona has already ignited controversy just one day before the highly anticipated showdown. Following public statements made by referees, Real Madrid are reportedly considering boycotting and pulling out of the final.
Throughout the season, Real Madrid has frequently clashed with the Spanish Federation and La Liga over officiating, and the cup final has proven no exception. Ahead of the match, Real Madrid TV—the club’s official channel—aired a report profiling the referees assigned to the final, highlighting their win record with Madrid (64%) compared to Barcelona’s (81%).
At Friday’s press conference, referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea addressed the videos criticizing match officials: “The consequences of those videos lead to anonymous social media users hurling insults and threats. The problem is that when we refer to commentators or soccer figures who talk about ‘robbery’ or use offensive words, fans take out their frustration on the young boys or girls who have to referee youth matches. That’s the consequence of putting a target on our heads.”
VAR official Pablo González Fuertes offered an even more direct response to the criticism. “We reaffirm our unity with our president, Luis Medina—we must protect the refereeing body. Measures will have to be taken, and we are not going to continue allowing what has been happening,” he stated. “On certain dates, you will hear news about what will happen. We will make history with what we are going to do,” he added, setting off alarm bells within Real Madrid.
Real Madrid’s response to the Spanish Federation and the referees
The comments quickly reached Real Madrid, prompting immediate action. First, the club canceled the scheduled press conference with head coach Carlo Ancelotti and Luka Modric. They also suspended an open training session, and president Florentino Perez opted out of the traditional pre-match dinner with Barcelona officials. But the situation could escalate even further.
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According to journalist Josep Pedrerol of El Chiringuito, Real Madrid is weighing the possibility of returning to Madrid without playing the final against Barcelona. Pedrerol detailed the ongoing meetings between club executives and their legal team:
“Real Madrid will demand an apology from the referees. The club believes that attacking the club with threats of legal action 24 hours before the Copa del Rey final shows that they are not impartial referees,” Pedrerol stated.
“There has been talk of the possibility that the team could return to Madrid if the federation does not act accordingly. There is a minimal chance that Real Madrid could go back home without playing the final,” he concluded the report.
With less than 24 hours to kickoff, tensions are at a boiling point. What was already set to be a heated final could now lead to a historic event: the suspension of the Copa del Rey final itself.
