'It's a power grab' - Real Madrid accused of 'threatening' behaviour by La Liga president Javier Tebas over referee debacle ahead of Copa del Rey final clash with Barcelona

Earlier this week, Real Madrid's affiliate, RMTV, posted videos of referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea, who is set to officiate the Copa del Rey final between Barcelona and Los Blancos. The video hinted at the referee being favourable towards the Catalan side. A tearful Bengoetxea then revealed that his son was bullied in school due to Los Blancos' targeted hate towards him, which was then followed up by the club asking for the 39-year-old to be relieved of his duties for the clash.

The Spanish football federation (RFEF) quickly shot down Madrid's request, which prompted Carlo Ancelotti's side to cancel their press conference and pre-match training session. That prompted reports that Los Blancos were considering boycotting the final. La Liga president Tebas, an open fan of the 15-time European champions, has now criticised Florentino Perez and the club for their self-victimisation tactics, accusing the Madrid president of trying to 'dominate football rather than seeking its improvement'.

On the social media platform X, Tebas wrote: “He doesn't like Tebas because he doesn't act according to his wishes. He doesn't like Ceferin because he doesn't listen to him. He doesn't like Louzan because he is not under his influence. He doesn't like the commentators on TV because they don't say what he wants to hear.

“He didn't accept the reforms because they don't suit him. Now, after the referees have reacted—after constant harassment from Real Madrid TV—he reacts by cancelling press conferences, skipping training, spitting on the competition, and refusing to attend the final. He doesn’t complain, he threatens. He doesn’t protest, he punishes. He doesn’t want to improve football, he wants to own it.

“The worst part isn’t that he wants to own football—it’s that certain circles allow it, normalise it, and even help him.”

Madrid have now officially confirmed that they will take part in the Copa del Rey final against Barcelona on Saturday evening, which may support Tebas' claims that the entire debacle was a simple pressure tactic ahead of the clash to further antagonise the referees and the refereeing committee.