According to reports from Marca, Real Madrid has opted to cancel their scheduled open training session, press conference, and team dinner on the eve of the Copa del Rey final. This decision reportedly stems from the Spanish Football Federation`s refusal to change the appointed referees for the match, Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea and Pablo Gonzalez Fuertes. Real Madrid argues that recent public statements made by Gonzalez Fuertes disqualify him from officiating the final, which is set to be held on Saturday in Sevilla.
Real Madrid`s request for a change of officials was rejected by the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF). In a pre-final press conference, the referees addressed the criticism they have faced regarding their appointment, specifically mentioning the abuse originating from Real Madrid`s official television channel, `Real Madrid TV`.
`More than what is being said, it`s the consequences of what`s being said. We`re seeing anonymous people on social media insulting and threatening without any control. Official club social media managers are continually attacking our community, in addition to player actions and statements that give rise to the belief that we`re not being honest in our decisions. 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 child`s game. It`s the consequence of putting the target on a teammate`s head. It`s good and healthy for everyone to return to a healthier style of football,` Gonzalez Fuertes stated.
This isn`t an isolated incident; Real Madrid has repeatedly voiced concerns about refereeing throughout the current season. In February, the club published an open letter alleging that Spanish officiating is compromised and lacks credibility.
Real Madrid`s Official Stance
The club, often referred to as Los Blancos, released an official statement reiterating their demand for a change in the officiating team before the match.
`Real Madrid CF considers the public statements made today by the referees designated for the Copa del Rey Final, scheduled for 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, deliberately carried out 24 hours earlier against one of the final`s participants, demonstrate, once again, the clear and manifest animosity and hostility of these referees toward Real Madrid,` the statement read.
`Even more surprising statements, in a threatening tone, alluding to the referees` unity, were used to announce alleged measures or actions that fall far short of the principles of fairness, objectivity, and impartiality that should prevail just hours before a football event that captures the attention of hundreds of millions of people around the world. 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.`
Real Madrid maintains that Gonzalez Fuertes` public comments demonstrate a lack of impartiality, necessitating his removal from the match. The club argues that such refereeing controversies have been a recurring problem for them throughout what they describe as a `roller coaster season`.
Recent Controversies
One notable incident occurred in February during a match against Espanyol, which Real Madrid lost 1-0. The club felt the defeat was influenced by officiating errors, specifically citing a challenge on Kylian Mbappe that they believed warranted a red card, not just the yellow card given after a VAR review. The winning goal for Espanyol was scored by Romero in that match, impacting Real Madrid`s position in the close La Liga title race.
This specific incident, along with others like Jude Bellingham`s red card for dissent in a match against Osasuna, has fueled complaints from Real Madrid and their television channel regarding perceived unfair treatment by referees. These ongoing issues have now culminated just before the Copa del Rey final, presenting the Spanish Federation with a challenging situation.
Outlook
Despite Real Madrid`s insistence, there are currently no plans to change the appointed referees. It remains unclear whether the club will escalate the matter further, potentially even protesting their participation in the final. However, it is certain that any officiating decisions during the match will be subject to intense scrutiny. While the RFEF has already dismissed Real Madrid`s initial plea, the club`s strong statement indicates they consider the matter far from resolved.
Adrian Whitmore