- Real Madrid skip press conference and training
- Reports suggest that Los Blancos to boycott CdR final
- Saw their request to change refereeing team rejected
AFPReal Madrid to boycott Copa del Rey final? Spanish giants skip press conference and training session as Spanish FA reject demand after video emerges of referee in tears ahead of showdown against Barcelona
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@rfef / XWHAT HAPPENED?
On Thursday, Madrid's affiliate television channel, RMTV, published a lengthy video criticising referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea, who has been tasked with officiating the Copa del Rey final between Los Blancos and Barcelona. The videos claimed that Bengoetxea gave a decision favouring the Catalan side and hinted at potential corruption from the 39-year-old. On Friday, Bengoetxea broke down into tears during his press conference as he revealed that his son was told that his father was 'a thief'.
Getty Images EntertainmentREAL MADRID'S STATEMENT
Real released a statement on their website and social media on Friday evening after RFEF's rejection, and, ironically, called for the federation to uphold the integrity of the competition, just days after throwing mud on the very integrity of the competition with their video on RMTV.
Los Blancos' statement read: "Real Madrid C.F. considers the public statements made today by the referees designated for the Copa del Rey Final, scheduled to be held tomorrow, April 26, 2025, unacceptable.
"These statements, which have surprisingly focused attention on videos from a media outlet protected by freedom of expression, such as Real Madrid TV, deliberately made 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.
"Even more surprising statements, in a threatening tone, alluding to the referees' unity, are used to announce alleged measures or actions that are far from 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 establishment will act accordingly, adopting the necessary measures to defend the prestige of the institutions they represent."
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