The 2025 Copa del Rey final is approaching, and Real Madrid enter the match still shaken by its Champions League loss to Arsenal. Meanwhile, FC Barcelona arrive with strong momentum and high morale. However, referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea made comments that did not sit well with Real Madrid. As a result, the club responded forcefully and made a drastic decision ahead of the final game.
“Real Madrid CF considers the public statements made today by the referees designated for the Copa del Rey Final, scheduled to be held tomorrow, April 26, 2025, to be unacceptable. These protests, which have surprisingly focused attention on videos from a media outlet protected by freedom of expression, such as Real Madrid TV… Given the seriousness of what happened, Real Madrid hopes that those responsible for the RFEF and the refereeing body will act accordingly, adopting the necessary measures to defend the prestige of the institutions they represent,” stated Real Madrid on their official website.
According to Diario AS, Real Madrid have opted to skip the scheduled training session at La Cartuja Stadium on April 25, as well as the pre-match press conference and the official dinner organized by the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF).
Despite the club’s protest, the federation has reportedly refused to change the referee assignment, claiming there is no justification to do so, per Anton Meana of Cadena SER. If the situation remains unresolved, Diario AS reports that Real Madrid are considering not playing in the 2025 Copa del Rey final. Nevertheless, the club denied those rumors amid a official statement.
Kylian Mbappe of Real Madrid reacts during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Quarter Final Second Leg match between Real Madrid C.F. and Arsenal FC at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on April 16, 2025 in Madrid, Spain.
In view of the rumors that have arisen in the last few hours, Real Madrid C. F. communicates that our team has never considered not playing tomorrow’s final. Our club understands that the unfortunate and inappropriate statements of the referees appointed for this match, made 24 hours before the final, cannot tarnish a sporting event of global importance that will be watched by hundreds of millions of people and out of respect for all the fans who are planning to travel to Seville, and for all those who are already in the Andalusian capital.
stated Real Madrid on Instagram.
Referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea’s comments spark controversy ahead of Copa del Rey final
In a morning interview in Spain, referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea made a series of controversial statements, even breaking down in tears. During the conversation, he described the significant impact of the videos produced by Real Madrid TV, which highlight and analyze alleged officiating mistakes on previous games against them.
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In addition, he made a harsh confession about the impact of these videos in his daily life: “When one of your children goes to school and there are kids who tell him that his dad is a thief and he comes back home crying, that’s really f****d up...What I do in my case is try to educate my son to tell him that his father is honourable. Above all honourable, that he makes mistakes, like any sportsperson…I don’t wish it on anyone. But the day I leave here, I want my son to be proud of what his dad was and what refereeing is,” confessed De Burgos.
Nevertheless, Ricardo was not the only referee who addressed the situation. Pablo Gonzalez Fuertes, the Video Assistant Referee, also spoke out and supported his colleague: “The situation that we Spanish soccer referees are going through is more united than ever, due to the circumstances that we are going through. We are 180 colleagues…There is no doubt that we are going to start taking measures, more serious than the ones that are being taken.”
LaLiga President Javier Tebas sends strong message to Real Madrid amid referee dispute
Real Madrid’s actions did not go unnoticed by LaLiga president Javier Tebas. Although he is an avowed Madridista, Tebas has remained highly critical of the club’s leadership in recent years. He even stated that he supports Real Madrid but not its current president, Florentino Perez.
Now, amid this latest controversy, Tebas stepped forward once again and defended the referees with strong and pointed remarks.
“And now, after the referees — tired of the constant harassment from Real Madrid TV — spoke out, he responds the only way he knows how:
– Cancels the press conference.
– Skips training at La Cartuja.
– Disrespects the official events for the Copa del Rey final.
– Leaks that he won’t show up to the Copa del Rey final.Such thin skin.
He’s not protesting, he’s pressuring.
He’s not complaining, he’s threatening.
He’s not disagreeing, he’s punishing.
He doesn’t want to improve soccer — he wants his version of soccer.And the worst part isn’t that he’s trying.
The worst part is that so many allow it, tolerate it, and even help him.”
Javier Tebas on X, formerly Twitter.
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