Real Madrid have firmly denied speculation that they considered withdrawing from Saturday’s Copa del Rey final against Barcelona amid controversy surrounding the match officials.
Tensions escalated after referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea and VAR official Pablo González Fuertes made emotional statements during Friday’s pre-match press conference. De Burgos, visibly upset, addressed the personal toll of criticism from Real Madrid TV, including his son being taunted at school.
“When your child comes home crying because classmates call his father a ‘thief,’ it’s devastating,” De Burgos said. “I teach my son that I am honest—a professional who, like any athlete, can make mistakes.”
Meanwhile, González Fuertes hinted at impending disciplinary action against Real Madrid TV for their persistent targeting of referees this season. “We will soon announce serious measures—this will be historic. We won’t tolerate this anymore,” he warned.
Real Madrid later canceled scheduled media duties, including a press conference with manager Carlo Ancelotti and midfielder Luka Modrić, fueling rumors of a potential boycott. However, the club released a statement denying any such plans while condemning the officials’ remarks.
“Despite the unjust hostility displayed by the referees, Real Madrid never contemplated refusing to play the final,” the statement read. “Football’s values must prevail, even in the face of such animosity. We respect the millions of fans worldwide and those traveling to Seville for this prestigious event.”
The controversy stems from a Real Madrid TV segment scrutinizing De Burgos’ past decisions in matches involving the club, as well as his lack of experience in high-profile tournaments like the Champions League. Such critiques have become routine from the club’s media channel ahead of major fixtures.
With the stage set for a heated El Clásico final, Real Madrid have reaffirmed their commitment to competing—but the fallout from the refereeing dispute continues to overshadow the spectacle.
