 "Real Madrid claims referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea is biased against them. Image: Reuters")
The Copa del Rey final between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona has already seen a massive controversy even before the kick-off. Real Madrid vs Barcelona El Clasico Copa del Rey final will be played on Saturday (26 April) at the Estadio de La Cartuja in Sevilla.
The match will be officiated by referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea and it’s his appointment that has led to the whole controversy. Real Madrid are not in favour of Bengoetxea officiating the match. Real Madrid TV has also released a video pointing out Bengoetxea’s mistakes in previous matches of the La Liga team.
Referees hint strike against Real Madrid
A visibly upset Bengoetxea broke down in front of the media on Friday when asked about the accusation and accused Real Madrid of misusing their influence. “When your son comes back from school and other kids have said to him that his father is a thief, it’s really hard,” he said. “They have no right to make us go through this, but it’s not just something between professionals; a lot of families depend on this, and everyone should take some time to reflect on what they are doing.”
Pablo Gonzalez Fuentes, who will be the VAR official for the Copa del Rey final, also criticised Real Madrid for creating an environment of hate towards referees.
“They have to understand the consequences of these videos,” Fuentes said. “We’re seeing community managers on official social media platforms attacking the community for just one more like. We see actions by football players that suggest we’re dishonest. When a journalist talks about ’theft,’ fans take that frustration out on the child who’s about to referee a youth team. We must address these types of situations and return to a healthier and cleaner style of football.
“The consequences are that when you talk about theft and bad language, the frustration you generate in the fans is paid for by the little boy or girl who grabs a whistle and has to officiate a junior’s game. It’s the consequence of putting the target on a teammate’s head,” he added.
He also hinted at a possible strike by referees in future.
“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. A strike? You will have news from us soon,” Fuentes said.
Real Madrid hits back at referees, calls for action
Real Madrid did not like the referees criticising the club in public as they boycotted the press conference before the Copa del Rey final. They also did not hold an open training session in Seville and Real president Florentino Perez did not attend the traditional presidents’ dinner.
Real said that Bengoetxea’s comments only highlight his bias against the club from the Spanish capital.
“These statements… made in a premeditated manner 24 hours before the final against one of the participants, demonstrate, once again, a clear and manifest animosity and hostility of these referees towards Real Madrid,” the club said.
Real also pointed out the threat of a possible strike, asking the Spanish football federation to act against officials.
“Even more surprising statements, in a threatening tone… to announce supposed measures or actions that are far removed from the principles of fairness, objectivity and impartiality that should prevail just hours before (the final),” Madrid’s statement read.
“In view of the seriousness of what has happened, Real Madrid hopes that those in charge of the RFEF and the refereeing profession will act accordingly, adopting the relevant measures in defence of the prestige of the institutions they represent.”
Real Madrid denies reports of boycotting Copa del Rey final
The Spanish media also reported that Real Madrid wanted a change in the match officials and were planning to boycott the Copa del Rey final. However, the club debunked the reports late on Friday.
“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 tomorrow’s final.
“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,” Madrid’s statement said.
Madrid-based sports daily AS has reported that there was a conversation between Rafael Louzán, president of the Spanish FA (which oversees the Copa del Rey) and Real Madrid. According to the report, the RFEF acknowledged the inappropriateness of the referees’ comments and made it clear that Fuertes would not officiate Real Madrid matches for the rest of the season, while also stepping down from his role at the Technical Committee of Referees (CTA).