Real Madrid deny they considered Copa del Rey final boycott over referee

Importance Score: 45 / 100 🔵

Real Madrid Denies Copa del Rey Final Boycott Amid Referee Controversy

Real Madrid has refuted claims they considered refusing to participate in the Copa del Rey final against Barcelona after their boycott of pre-match events cast doubt on the game’s occurrence. The club released a statement confirming their participation late Friday, just a day before the anticipated Clásico showdown.

Madrid’s Initial Demands and Boycott

Earlier, Real Madrid issued a demand for the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) to address remarks made by referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea leading up to the match. This followed Real Madrid’s decision to abstain from the pre-match press conference, training session, and photo opportunity with the managers at the Cartuja Stadium in Seville. Despite reports suggesting the club contemplated boycotting the final, Madrid officially affirmed their presence late Friday.

“Faced by the rumours that have emerged in the last few hours, Real Madrid wish to communicate that our team has never proposed renouncing playing in tomorrow’s final,” the statement clarified. “Our club understands that the unfortunate and inappropriate declarations made by the referees assigned to this game, made 24 hours before the final, cannot stain a sporting event of global significance which millions of people will watch.”

Club Statement Emphasizes Respect for Fans

The statement emphasized that Real Madrid’s participation stemmed from “out of respect to all those fans who have travelled to Seville and those that are already in the Andalucían capital.” The club concluded that “the values of football should prevail, despite the hostility and animosity of that has today once again been made clear against our club, by the referees assigned to the final.”

The statement concluded a prolonged period of uncertainty. Carlo Ancelotti and Luka Modric were scheduled to address the media at 7:15 PM local time in Seville, but their appearance was abruptly canceled, leaving the press waiting.

Allegations of Bias and Unfair Treatment

At the time, no explanation was given, and Madrid did not disclose the reasons for their decision later. Similarly, they refrained from confirming whether they had requested the RFEF to dismiss De Burgos Bengoetxea or VAR official Pablo González Fuertes. Nevertheless, a subsequent statement characterized the referees’ remarks as “premeditated”, delivered with a “threatening tone,” and indicative of “manifest hostility” towards Real Madrid.

The club accused the referees of “announcing supposed actions which are far from the principles of equality, objectivity and impartiality which should prevail a few hours before a footballing event followed by millions of people around the world.”

Potential Penalties for Non-Participation

Had Real Madrid chosen not to participate, they would have faced a year-long suspension from the competition and a fine ranging from €3,000 to €12,000. After an eleven-year wait for a Clásico final, the referee became the center of attention in Seville.

Referee’s Defense and Concerns

Madrid’s discontent stemmed from a pre-match press conference in which De Burgos Bengoetxea and González Fuertes addressed the club’s repeated criticism of referees on their TV channel. Both men highlighted the impact such actions have on young officials, with González Fuertes advocating for stricter measures. De Burgos Bengoetxea, visibly emotional, spoke of the repercussions on his children.

De Burgos Bengoetxea expressed his distress: “When a child goes to school and people tell him his father is a thief it’s messed up,” the official said, his voice breaking. “All I can do is educate my son so that he knows that his father is honourable, show him what refereeing is, and for everyone to reflect on where we want to go; I would like you all to know, it is very hard.”

“More than what is said [in the videos], it’s the consequences of what is said, González Fuertes said. “We see anonymous people on social media insulting and threatening referees without any control, those responsible for clubs’ social media continuously attacking us. The consequences of talking about robberies and using bad words, that frustration you create among fans, is something that the boys and girls who pick up a whistle to do a kids’ game end up paying for. That is the consequence of putting a target on a colleague’s head. We’re not going to allow it to keep happening.”

Barcelona’s Perspective and Madrid’s Response

Earlier that day, during Barcelona’s press conference at 5:15 PM, Hansi Flick stated: “We need the referees.” Madrid was slated to appear two hours later. However mirroring their actions at the Ballon d’Or ceremony in October, they cancelled all scheduled pre-match activities – there would be no press briefing, practice session, or customary handshake between coaches alongside the trophy; additionally, President Florentino Pérez chose to abstain from all formal events.

The RFEF subsequently confirmed that Real Madrid had notified them of their non-participation in the listed pre-match functions.

Madrid’s Demands and RFEF’s Stance

Real Madrid sought the removal of De Burgos Bengoetxea from officiating duties, citing his position as untenable after the press conference and perceived conflict of interest. However, they did not explicitly demand his removal publicly, and their subsequent statements stopped short of reiterating this demand overtly. Instead, their stance was conveyed via media outlets closely aligned with the club’s hierarchy, which also disseminated the possibility of their non-attendance at the match.

“Real Madrid CF considers the public statements made today by the referees appointed for the Copa del Rey final to be unacceptable,” the club articulated in a formal announcement. “These remarks made in a premeditated manner, 24 hours before [kick-off and] against one of the participants in the final demonstrate, once again, a clear and manifest animosity and hostility against Real Madrid.

“Given the seriousness of what happened, Real Madrid expects the RFEF and the refereeing establishment to act accordingly, adopting the relevant measures in defence of the institutions that they represent.”

Resolution and Confirmation

The RFEF remained firm: the referees would not be changed, and the game was to proceed as planned. Conversations continued, however, and the wait for confirmation lingered into the evening until Real Madrid officially announced they had never considered a boycott. Though Ancelotti was absent from the press room at La Cartuja at 7:15 PM local time, his team was scheduled to appear on the pitch at 10 PM on Saturday night, ensuring the Copa del Rey final would take place.

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