In a dramatic turn of events ahead of the Copa del Rey final coming this weekend, Real Madrid has canceled all official activities scheduled for today, including their press conference, training session, and a pre-match team dinner. The unexpected move has intensified the growing tensions between the club and Spanish football authorities, particularly regarding officiating decisions.
At the center of the controversy is the appointment of Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea as the referee for the final between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona, set to take place in Seville. Real Madrid has formally requested a change of referee, citing concerns over De Burgos Bengoetxea’s emotional state and potential impartiality. The club's dissatisfaction reportedly stems from several critical reports and video analyses aired on Real Madrid TV, which questioned the referee’s past decisions in matches involving Los Blancos.
Earlier today, De Burgos Bengoetxea appeared at a press conference where he became visibly emotional, addressing the recent media scrutiny. The referee expressed concern over what he described as “targeted hostility” from media platforms associated with Real Madrid, adding that the growing pressure on match officials had taken a serious personal toll. His reaction has further fueled the debate around the treatment of referees in Spanish football and the power clubs wield through their media channels.
Real Madrid’s request to the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) to assign a different official for the final has reportedly been denied. Federation sources have indicated that changing the referee at such short notice is logistically unfeasible, given the scale of the match and the limited time before kickoff.
Barcelona coach Hansi Flick has responded to the situation by expressing solidarity with referees. “We must protect the integrity of officials,” Flick said. “They are under immense pressure, and clubs should focus on football, not stirring controversy around refereeing.”
The cancellation of all Real Madrid activities today has sent shockwaves through the footballing community. Some see it as a tactical move to apply last-minute pressure on the RFEF, while others view it as an expression of the club’s discontent with how refereeing decisions have gone against them this season.
With the final set to take place in just over 24 hours, all eyes will be on Seville to see how this drama unfolds on and off the pitch. The match promises to be a high-stakes encounter not just for silverware, but for the credibility of officiating and fair play in Spanish football.
Whether De Burgos Bengoetxea remains the man in the middle could very well shape the narrative of this already explosive El Clásico showdown.
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