In a tense and emotional lead-up to the Copa del Rey final between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid, referee Ricardo De Burgos Bengoetxea made headlines for his heartfelt comments regarding the pressures faced by officials in Spanish football. Speaking at a press conference on April 25, 2025, in Seville, De Burgos Bengoetxea, visibly shaken, opened up about the impact of negative media coverage on his family, particularly his son.
De Burgos Bengoetxea, who has been appointed to officiate the prestigious match at La Cartuja, expressed his distress over the constant scrutiny from Real Madrid's official television channel, Real Madrid TV. He revealed that the channel has been broadcasting compilations of his past decisions that allegedly harmed the club, contributing to a hostile environment for referees. "There are anonymous social media accounts that insult and threaten without any control," he stated, highlighting the severe consequences of such actions.
With tears in his eyes, he recounted a painful experience where his son returned home from school in tears after being called a 'thief's son' by classmates. "When your child goes to school and comes back crying because other children say his father is a thief, it’s very hard. What I try to teach him is that his father is honest, just like any athlete makes mistakes," De Burgos Bengoetxea said, emphasizing his desire for his son to be proud of him and the profession of refereeing.
The emotional weight of his statements resonated deeply, as he called for a broader reflection on the state of Spanish football. He mentioned that some referees have chosen to step down a level to escape the intense pressures associated with high-profile matches. "We must reflect on where we want to go and what we want from football and sport," he concluded, advocating for a healthier environment for all involved.
Joining De Burgos Bengoetxea at the press conference was Pablo González Fuertes, the VAR referee for the final. He echoed the sentiments expressed by his colleague, asserting that the refereeing community stands united against the pressures exerted by media outlets like Real Madrid TV. González Fuertes warned of the serious measures that the referees would take to address the ongoing situation, stating, "We will have to start taking much more serious measures than those currently being implemented. We will not continue to allow what is happening to happen. You will have news soon. We will make history and will not keep enduring what we are enduring."
González Fuertes specifically called out the harmful impact of the videos produced by Real Madrid TV, urging all football stakeholders to cease creating situations that put referees in the spotlight. He expressed concern that the ongoing hostility could lead to significant problems in the future, saying, "One day, I hope I’m wrong, we will have a real problem, and we will all regret it."
The tension escalated further when Real Madrid CF decided to boycott a scheduled press conference with their head coach Carlo Ancelotti and captain Luka Modric, citing the referees' comments as "inadmissible." The club released a statement expressing their discontent with the public statements made by De Burgos Bengoetxea and González Fuertes, accusing them of demonstrating animosity towards Real Madrid. The statement condemned the referees' remarks as a premeditated attack against the club and called for appropriate measures to uphold the prestige of the institutions involved.
This Copa del Rey final is particularly significant as it marks the first time De Burgos Bengoetxea will officiate a final of this caliber, despite having refereed several Clásicos in the past. He has been a part of the First Division since 2015 and became an international referee in 2018. His experience includes overseeing 31 matches involving Barcelona, with the Catalan side losing five, while he has officiated 25 matches for Real Madrid, with the team losing four.
As the countdown to the final continues, the atmosphere remains charged with anticipation, not only for the match itself but for the broader implications of the ongoing discourse surrounding refereeing in Spanish football. The stakes are high, and the pressure is palpable, as both teams prepare to battle for the coveted trophy amidst a backdrop of intense scrutiny and emotional turmoil.
In light of the recent developments, the final promises to be more than just a clash of titans on the pitch; it is also a reflection of the challenges faced by those who officiate the game. As the players gear up for what is often described as one of the most beautiful matches in football, the referees are also bracing themselves for the scrutiny that comes with it.
With all eyes on the pitch, the question remains: how will the match unfold, and what lasting impact will the events leading up to it have on the future of refereeing in Spain? The answer is awaited not just by fans, but by everyone involved in the beautiful game.
