Sevilla, España - Tensions are running high as Real Madrid prepares to face Barcelona in the Copa del Rey final on April 27, 2025, at Estadio La Cartuja. The reigning LaLiga champions have made headlines for their decision to boycott the official press conference and training session scheduled for the day before the match, citing serious concerns about the conduct of the referees appointed for the game.
On April 25, Real Madrid announced they would not attend any official events organized by the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) due to what they termed the "seriousness" of statements made by referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea and VAR official Pablo González Fuertes. These comments, made in a press conference, were described by the club as "unacceptable" and indicative of "clear and manifest animosity and hostility" towards Real Madrid.
In a statement released on their official channels, Real Madrid expressed their discontent with the tone and content of the referees' remarks, which they deemed "threatening" and contrary to the principles of fairness and impartiality expected in a high-stakes final. "These protests, which have surprisingly focused attention on videos from a media outlet protected by freedom of expression, such as Real Madrid TV, demonstrate, once again, the clear and manifest animosity and hostility of these referees toward Real Madrid," the statement read.
The press conference, which was supposed to feature comments from Real Madrid's manager Carlo Ancelotti and a player, left numerous journalists and media outlets waiting in vain. Real Madrid's absence from the event has sparked widespread discussion, with many questioning the implications for the match and the overall atmosphere surrounding the final.
De Burgos Bengoetxea, visibly emotional during the press conference, lamented the pressure that referees face, particularly from Real Madrid's media. He shared a personal story about how his son has been subjected to ridicule at school due to his father's profession, stating, "It’s not right what we are going through." His VAR counterpart, González Fuertes, echoed these sentiments, warning that referees might soon take significant actions in response to the ongoing pressure from media narratives.
Despite the controversy, Real Madrid has clarified that they will not formally request a change of referees for the final. However, club sources indicated that both De Burgos and González Fuertes have lost their neutrality and should not officiate the match. The club seeks a response from the RFEF to address what they perceive as a conflict of interest.
The backdrop to this contentious atmosphere is the fierce rivalry between Real Madrid and Barcelona, which has intensified this season. Barcelona has bested Real Madrid in their previous encounters, including a 4-0 victory at Santiago Bernabeu and a 5-2 win in the Spanish Super Cup final held in Saudi Arabia. As the two teams prepare to clash again, the stakes could not be higher.
Real Madrid currently sits four points behind Barcelona in LaLiga, with five matches remaining in the season. The pressure is palpable for Carlo Ancelotti's squad, who are looking to salvage what has been an underwhelming campaign after their recent elimination from the Champions League at the hands of Arsenal.
Meanwhile, Barcelona's head coach Hansi Flick has expressed confidence in his squad despite the absence of top scorer Robert Lewandowski, who is sidelined with a thigh injury. Flick has backed Ferran Torres to step up in Lewandowski's absence, stating, "Ferran in the cup, in every game, has shown that he can play as a (number) nine. We want to win the title and we want to give everything for that." Torres is currently the joint leading scorer in this season's Copa del Rey, having netted five goals, including a hat-trick in the quarter-final against Valencia.
As the final approaches, the focus remains on the field, but the surrounding drama off the pitch is equally captivating. The RFEF has yet to respond to Real Madrid's demands, leaving fans and analysts alike wondering how this situation will unfold.
With the Copa del Rey final just hours away, all eyes will be on Estadio La Cartuja as two of Spain's most storied clubs vie for glory. Will the tensions off the pitch translate into a thrilling encounter on the field? Fans are eagerly waiting to find out.
