Real Madrid Boycott Copa del Rey Final Preparations over Alleged Referee Misconduct

Sources say there is a chance that Real Madrid will also boycott the final

Real Madrid have boycotted all pre-match engagements, including their press conference, final training session, and clubs dinner ahead of Saturday’s Copa del Rey final against Barcelona.

The protest comes in response to comments made earlier in the day by referee Ricardo De Burgos Bengoetxea. The official, who was appointed to be in charge of the final, cried at a press conference while responding to a video published by Real Madrid TV, the club’s media outlet.

The video claimed that De Burgos Bengoetxea was biased against Real Madrid, but the official hit out at the club and said that officials could not continue to take abuse.

Los Blancos felt that the remarks of the referee were unfair and prejudicial. They have also published a statement officially condemning De Burgos Bengoetxea. In the statement, Madrid claimed that he undermined the fairness expected from match officials at the highest level. The club then called on the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) to intervene and “defend the prestige of the institutions they represent”.

Sources close to the club said that Madrid have formally requested a change of the refereeing team, though the RFEF denied receiving any such communication.

This is only the latest chapter in what has been deep mistrust between Real Madrid and the RFEF. There are suggestions that Madrid are internally discussing a boycott of the final on Saturday, according to ESPN. However, it is not believed that matters will escalate that far.

As of now, Saturday’s final between Spain’s two fiercest rivals remains on track. Madrid’s eternal rivals Barcelona are on course for a treble, having gone through to the Champions League semi-finals and leading La Liga with four points.

Real Madrid, on the other hand, have exited the Champions League and sit in second place in La Liga. The club will be eager to prevent their rivals from also claiming the Copa del Rey.