FLASH
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Real Madrid are reportedly threatening to boycott the Copa del Rey final against Barcelona after the RFEF rejected their request to change the referee.
On Thursday, Madrid-based television channel RMTV released a lengthy video criticizing referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea, who has been tasked with refereeing the Copa del Rey final between Los Blancos and Barcelona. The videos alleged that Bengoetxea made a decision in favor of the Catalan side and hinted at possible corruption by the 39-year-old. On Friday, Bengoetxea broke down in tears during his press conference as he revealed that his son had been told his father was a 'thief'.
Los Blancos then asked the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) to approve a change in the refereeing team for the Copa del Rey final, citing that Bengoetxea could no longer be expected to be neutral towards both sides, reports AS. However, the RFEF quickly rejected Real Madrid's request as the change would reflect on the club interfering in the refereeing committee.
Several Spanish media outlets have now claimed that Madrid are considering boycotting the Copa del Rey final against Barcelona on Saturday after their request was rejected. Los Blancos have cancelled their public training session ahead of the match at the Estadio de La Cartuja and have done the same for their press conference on Saturday afternoon.
Real Madrid statement
Real released a statement on their website and social media on Friday evening following the RFEF's rejection and, ironically, called on the federation to maintain the integrity of the competition, just days after casting doubt on the integrity of the competition with their video on RMTV.
Los Blancos' statement said: "Real Madrid CF considers unacceptable the public statements made today by the referees assigned to the Copa del Rey final, scheduled to be held tomorrow, April 26, 2025. These statements, which have surprisingly focused attention on a video by a media outlet protected by freedom of expression, such as Real Madrid TV, deliberately made 24 hours ago against one of the participants in the final, show once again the clear and visible hostility of these referees towards Real Madrid," Real's statement said.
Even more startling statements, with a threatening tone, alluding to the unity of the referees, are used to announce alleged measures or actions that are far from the principles of justice, objectivity and impartiality that should prevail just a few hours before a football event that attracts 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 institution will act accordingly, taking the necessary measures to protect the prestige of the institutions they represent," it said.
What happens in case of a boycott?
Madrid have not officially announced their decision to boycott the Copa del Rey final against Barcelona on Saturday, however, the RFEF also appears to be holding out. Only time will tell whether the reports coming out of Madrid are more of a tactic or an actual threat from the underperforming side. If the 15-time European champions pull out of the clash, Barcelona will be handed their first major title of the season as they chase a third European treble.
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