'This is unbearable' - Atletico Madrid urge Real Madrid to 'stop tarnishing Spanish football' and call for end to referee harassment over Copa del Rey final saga

Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea has been in the eye of a storm since Real Madrid TV broadcast a video highlighting what they considered past officiating mistakes involving him during games featuring Los Blancos. The in-house television channel pointed to a 64% win rate for Real Madrid under his refereeing, contrasting it with an 81% success rate for Barcelona when he officiates their fixtures.

Atletico did not hesitate to take a firm stance, voicing their dissatisfaction with what they perceive as a dangerous culture of targeting match officials. They took to their official social media platforms to voice their concern, accusing their city rivals of damaging the reputation of Spanish football with continued referee-related complaints. The message was blunt: "This is unbearable. Stop tarnishing the image of Spanish football #StopAcosoArbitralYa (#StopRefereeHarassmentNow)."

In a heartbreaking revelation, De Burgos Bengoetxea disclosed that his family have been directly impacted by the ongoing saga. The experienced referee admitted that his son has faced bullying at school, with classmates hurling insults and even being called "a thief."

With Saturday’s final marking the third time he has officiated a Real Madrid versus Barcelona final - following Super Cup showdowns in 2017 and 2023 - the scrutiny surrounding De Burgos Bengoetxea has never been more intense.

As Barcelona and Real Madrid prepare to battle for silverware, the integrity of Spanish football hangs in the balance. Given the tension stirred up by recent events, even the slightest controversial call could spark another wave of outrage. For De Burgos Bengoetxea, the challenge will be maintaining authority and composure amid one of the most emotionally charged fixtures in world football.