Real Madrid release statement on boycotting Copa del Rey final with Barcelona

This year’s final was surrounded by uncertainty due to tensions between Real Madrid and the refereeing team assigned to officiate the clash against Barcelona.

During a press briefing, referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea became visibly emotional while addressing a video aired on Real Madrid’s TV channel, which criticized the “mistakes” he has made in games involving Carlo Ancelotti’s team.

De Burgos said: “To see your son come from school crying because some kids have said his dad is a crook is very hard to take.

“What I do is tell my son that his father is honorable. I make mistakes, like any athlete, but I am honorable. I want my son to be proud of his father and of the refereeing profession.

“Nobody has the right to submit my colleagues to what they are dealing with.”

In a remarkable statement, Real Madrid slammed De Burgos’ “unacceptable” comments.

“Real Madrid considers the public statements made today by the referees designated for the Copa del Rey Final, scheduled to be held tomorrow, April 26, 2025, to be unacceptable,” a statement read.

“These protests, which have surprisingly focused attention on videos from a media outlet protected by freedom of expression, such as Real Madrid TV, deliberately carried out 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, were used to announce alleged measures or actions that fall far short of 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 body will act accordingly, adopting the necessary measures to defend the prestige of the institutions they represent.”

Real Madrid were deeply upset with the Spanish football association’s decision to retain De Burgos as the referee for Saturday’s match.

Fabrizio Romano reported that the club planned to cancel Friday’s open training session, press conference, and club dinner. This decision has since been confirmed by various prominent media outlets.

Additionally, Marca revealed that Real Madrid were ‘exploring the possibility of not participating’ in the final against Barcelona due to the ‘heightened tensions’ leading up to the clash.

‘The Federation remains firm in its position and sees no possibility of a change, but what is clear is that everything that has happened will take its toll on the Technical Committee of Referees. Even what is considered provocation, such as the videos on Real Madrid TV or some social media posts from other teams, will not serve as a mitigating factor in their decision-making.

‘It’s true that Florentino Pérez wasn’t scheduled to arrive in Seville until Saturday morning, so he wasn’t going to attend the dinner under any circumstances, but his intention to skip it remains firm.

‘The possibility of a missed final continues to loom over the Andalusian capital, but the Federation hopes the outcome will not go beyond a missed training session and press conference. Real Madrid’s outrage continues to grow, and it’s unclear what the outcome will be.’

A later statement from Real Madrid confirmed the game will go ahead.

They said: “Real Madrid communicates that our team has never considered giving up playing tomorrow’s final.

“Our club understands that the unfortunate and inappropriate statements of the referees appointed for this match, made 24 hours before the final, cannot stain a sporting event of global importance that hundreds of millions of people will see and also out of respect for all the fans who plan to travel to Seville, and to all those who are already in the Andalusian capital.

“Real Madrid understands that the values of football must prevail, despite the hostility and animosity that have been evident today, once again against our club, by these referees designated for the final.”